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The Denver Nuggets have some areas to address this offseason. One concern is their backup center. They will have some options to choose from, including four-time rebounding champion Andre Drummond.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey explained why Drummond is a “realistic” option for the Nuggets in a May 22 story.
“A more reliable big man to spell Jokić would help, and despite already being in the phase of his career in which he’s getting veteran minimum deals, Andre Drummond has been reliable over the last three seasons.
“He’s certainly a different type of center than Jokić, but Denver could dominate the glass and get some easy buckets inside in the 15-16 minutes per game he’d play there.”
Drummond has led the NBA in rebounding in four separate seasons. At the peak of his game, Drummond made multiple All-Star teams and an All-NBA team. However, he has seen his role decrease in recent seasons.
Since 2021, Drummond has embraced his role as a backup center for the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls. The furthest he’s ever gone in the postseason is the first round. However, being Nikola Jokic’s backup could be a mutually beneficial partnership.
Kelly Olynyk Floated as ‘Dream’ Target as Backup Center
Bailey explained why Toronto Raptors big man Kelly Olynyk would be more of a “dream” target for the Nuggets.
“Kelly Olynyk, of course, is another big man, but he’s stylistically a lot closer to Jokić while also being a more reliable three-point shooter,” Bailey wrote. “His range, playmaking, and the fact that he’s at least in the right spots defensively would make the Nuggets’ second unit far more dynamic.”
Unlike Drummond, Olynyk just agreed to a two-year contract worth $26 million. To acquire him, the Nuggets would have to string together a trade package. Bailey floated what they would have to trade for Olynyk.
“He signed an extension with the Raptors after being traded there this past season, so landing him would take a trade, but maybe Zeke Nnaji, salary filler, and some draft capital might be enough to entice the rebuilding Raptors.”
This might be difficult because the Nuggets are likely to cross the NBA’s second tax apron. Those who do that can’t combine contracts for a player to match for someone like Olynyk. If they get below that, then they’re fine. Or they could trade someone like Michael Porter Jr. for Olynyk and other pieces.
Kyle Lowry Floated as Nuggets Target
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale explained why former All-Star Kyle Lowry is best used as a backup point guard at this point.
“If the Sixers aren’t ponying up to keep him on a one-year deal and/or aspire to reorient their backcourt depth, he is exactly the type of player who could play for the minimum on a contender promising him real minutes,” Favale wrote in a May 20 story.
For that reason, he explained why the Nuggets (and Timberwolves) work as a potential destination for him.
“To what end Denver and Minnesota can guarantee his role is debatable. Both could use upgrades at the backup point guard spot. The Nuggets have Reggie Jackson (player option), and the Timberwolves landed Monte Morris at the deadline, but Lowry is the steadier defender and off-ball mover and can still run things and fire off pull-up jumpers in a pinch.”
If Lowry can’t find much better than the veteran’s minimum contract, the Nuggets could be the ideal situation for him.
