As a result of the Carmelo Anthony trade last season, the Nuggets boast one of the deepest rosters in the league. However, seven Nuggets are either restricted or unrestricted free agents with three being regular starters. And while the lockout prevents any transactions from being made, it is important to analyze which free agents the Nuggets should keep, and who they should let walk.
Players Denver should keep.
Nene Hilario
Resigning Nene has to be the number one priority for the Nuggets once the lockout ends. The center position is in high demand so the Nuggets will have to pay a pretty penny to keep him.
While 14 points and seven rebounds per game isn’t going to jump out at you, the 6-foot 11 big man has steadily improved defensively and has turned into one of the best passing centers in the NBA. The Nuggets also desperately need to resign Nene. While Timofey Mozgov show’s a lot of promise for the future, the only thing he is currently known for is getting posterized by Blake Griffin.
Arron Afflalo
Afflalo’s hamstring injury prevented him from being very effective down the stretch and in the play-offs last season. Afflalo is the Nugget’s best perimeter defender and has shot over 40 percent from behind the arc in the last three seasons. Afflalo has also become one of the leaders of the Nuggets despite being very young.
Gary Forbes
Forbes has played well off the bench and can play either small or power forward. The talent gap between him and Wilson Chandler is solid, but he will be much cheaper.
Players who should walk
Kenyon Martin
Martin has never lived up to the hype that came with being the number one overall draft pick in 2000. Martin has been a consistent starter for six seasons. However, he averaged over 13 points per game only once, is 33 years old and has had two knee surgeries. The final straw was Denver drafting Kenneth Faried.
Wilson Chandler
There is no doubt that Chandler is a talented player. The 24-year old averaged over 15 points and 5 rebounds last season in New York and Denver. But like Martin, Chandler received a hint from Denver that he might be on his way out when the Nuggets got Jordan Hamilton in a draft day deal. And with Danilo Gallinari under contract, it appears Chandler is the odd man out.
J.R. Smith
Smith has become a fan-favorite in Denver and if there is one word to describe him, it is streaky. The 25-year-old can single handedly ignite a team by shooting lights out, but just as easily, can stunt a team by going cold. Smith is a good player but will likely ask for too much money and it looks as if the Nuggets can get more consistency for that much money.
Melvin Ely
Ely has never been more than a reserve at power forward and simply hasn't been a necessary component and could easily be replaced by rookie Chukwudierbe Maduabum.
So while Denver’s depth may take a hit as a result of some free agents leaving, Denver’s top priority should be resigning two impactful leaders in Nene and Afflalo.