The Denver Nuggets are most likely going to miss the playoffs again this season. Nothing against them, they have talented young core, they just have to put up that young group against the Western Conference in order to make it. It most likely won’t happen but this season could be a good step forward in their progress.
While they might miss the playoffs, their future is bright. Emmanuel Mudiay, Gary Harris Jr, Will Barton, Jusuf Nurkic, Nikola Jokic and rookies Jamal Murray and Malik Beasley are leading the charge for Denver’s future. While guys like Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari might not have clear paths going forward with Denver, one thing is crystal clear. The Nuggets are not looking to move on from their young guys, in particular Barton, anytime soon.
The Nuggets were offered first round draft picks but they didn’t budge.
Following from Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post.
Barton, meanwhile, is in constant search of a chip on his shoulder to lean on. Years past it has been easier to find. Now he’s being praised after a breakout season that landed him in the thick of the conversation for postseason awards, that had other teams offering first-round picks to nab him, and that had opponents highlighting him on scouting reports as a player to stop.
“People know I can play,” Barton said. “They won’t be surprised.”
This is a true sign of the Nuggets trust in Barton’s potential. If teams did indeed offer first round picks for him, especially with this expected superb 2017 NBA draft class coming up, that’s great for him. Now it’s time to determine where he fits on this squad.
Last year, he was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. He had a breakout season and turned a lot of heads. Part of that was due to the injuries to Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler plus the rookie season of Emmanuel Mudiay called for Barton to play more lead guard. With Gallo and Chandler back plus an improved Mudiay and Harris it might mean a decrease in playing time for Barton.
Then again, the team might just put him back to his role from last season and watch him thrive. If they have a bonafide sixth man already on the roster, they are ahead of the curve when it comes to building their roster.
