Will the Nuggets prolong Aaron Gordon? 5 storylines getting into coaching camp

Earlier than the Nuggets set sail for Abu Dhabi in per week, their preseason informally kicks off with a media day subsequent Thursday, adopted by coaching camp. After an eventful offseason, listed below are the 5 largest storylines to observe forward of camp, together with a monetary matter that might have a major influence on the staff’s future.

1. Gordon’s contract extension?

Aaron Gordon has a 2025 participant possibility included in his present contract, however he’s about to be eligible for an extension of as much as 4 years and $149 million, in keeping with ESPN’s Bobby MarksThe primary day he is eligible: Sept. 27, when the Nuggets maintain their first observe of coaching camp.

Gordon turned 29 final September. Giving long-term extensions to gamers of their late 30s might be dangerous, particularly when the participant depends as a lot on explosiveness and athleticism as Gordon does. But his most precious trait for the Nuggets has arguably been his cerebral match with Nikola Jokic, a trait that appears each more durable to switch and extra prone to age nicely.

Versatility is one other hallmark of Gordon’s sport. Simply in Denver’s second-round playoff sequence this 12 months, he served as each a backup middle and an emergency level guard with the starters, transferring up the ball to alleviate Minnesota’s ball strain on Jamal Murray. He defended Karl-Anthony Cities, besides when Michael Malone trusted him to cross-play Anthony Edwards. All of this along with his commonplace energy ahead position on offense, the place he had among the best video games of his profession in Sport 4 (27 factors, seven rebounds, six assists, two blocks, 11-of-12 capturing).

If there are any objections to a Gordon extension, other than age, it must be the Nuggets’ lack of deal with three-point capturing. Their offseason trades have already jeopardized their standing as a top-10 staff in capturing share. Spending massive on Gordon (32 p.c in his profession) would clearly go away fewer sources to allocate to efficient perimeter gamers sooner or later. As for the CBA’s limitations, the second-deck repeater tax may weigh on the Nuggets in 2027, however they might have loads of time to plan their subsequent strikes to keep away from that.

Gordon has built-in into the Denver group as a lot as any athlete within the metropolis proper now throughout his three and a half years right here. He’s additionally developed a detailed friendship with Jokic, an important individual within the group. Either side ought to have purpose to need to commit to one another for the lengthy haul. A deal may take time, or it may occur as early as subsequent Friday.

2. Denver’s fifth starter

This must be even much less of a positional “battle” than the quarterback competitors Sean Payton insisted on having in Broncos coaching camp. Christian Braun appears probably the most logical on paper to switch Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at fullback within the Nuggets’ beginning and shutting lineups. He was primarily their sixth man on the finish of final season. Malone even completed a number of playoff video games with him. Then, early this offseason, the GM was named Calvin Sales space expressed confidence in Braun as a starter even earlier than KCP signed with Orlando as a free agent. That was Denver’s contingency plan all alongside.

However Malone cannot be faulted for wanting to maintain up appearances. Braun is just in his second season within the NBA. The intuition of just about any coach on this state of affairs could be to make the beginning job earned, not given. And Braun appears to have accepted that simply, given his refusal to make assumptions about his position. in an interview with The Put up in July.

What if he is not the fifth starter each evening? There’s all the time Julian Strawther, whose growth as a sophomore will likely be a giant issue within the common season anyway. After an encouraging efficiency in Summer time League, his preseason will likely be probably the most compelling on the roster to observe.

The Nuggets may additionally use Russell Westbrook as a starter, however that will require a variety of protection from him subsequent to Jamal Murray whereas limiting the spacing of the lineup with a second non-shooter (Gordon). As a defender, Braun is clearly extra superior than Denver’s different choices. The query is whether or not he can persistently match or surpass Caldwell-Pope’s prowess on three-point protection.

3. Murray’s well being

Josh Kroenke identified this summer time that Jamal Murray performed valiantly regardless of accidents In the course of the NBA playoffs and the Olympics, two main levels the place his struggles have been pronounced. On one hand, this apology — coming from an government who had sufficient confidence in Murray to offer him a max extension within the midst of these struggles — must be greeted with a sigh of aid by Nuggets followers. On the opposite, it leaves lingering questions on Murray’s well being heading into one other 82-game stretch.

His Olympic look has led to a different brief offseason. How will his knees, calves, ankles, shins, elbows and hamstrings maintain up this time round? Nationally, Murray will likely be underneath the microscope greater than typical as he tries to shake off his slow-start streak all through his profession. If 2024-25 brings one other offseason, how lengthy will it take for pundits and followers to leap to conclusions about his $208.5 million contract?

4. How will Holmes’ damage have an effect on the frontcourt depth?

Denver’s first-round decide was anticipated to be a direct constructing block alongside fellow New York Metropolis decide Dario Saric. However the hype round DaRon Holmes should wait a 12 months after his torn Achilles tendon in Las VegasThe place does that go away the Nuggets’ bench for 2024-25?

If Malone desires to go to 10 gamers within the common season to offer his starters a rhythm, he may select between Zeke Nnaji and Vlatko Cancar to spherical out that rotation. Cancar missed all of 2023-24, then shot poorly in worldwide play this summer time, giving him a vital preseason. And but, these subsequent few weeks really feel much more important for Nnaji. He’s the fifth-highest paid participant on the roster as his rookie contract extension kicks in, although he was out and in of the rotation final 12 months. That was in a thinner ahead line; Malone typically opted for DeAndre Jordan over Nnaji. The inner competitors is stiffer now, and the stakes really feel increased with an $8.9 million verify within the mail.