The defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets did not make any trades during the 2024 NBA trade deadline in preparation for their title defense. The Nuggets are now focusing on the buyout market as they attempt to strengthen their rotation ahead of the postseason.
Denver is the favorite to win the West, with the best player in the world Nikola Jokic leading a championship-caliber group that includes Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Nuggets’ starting five is perhaps the most cohesive in the NBA, with each member excelling in their respective roles. However, Denver still has some depth problems to address after losing Bruce Brown and Jeff Green this summer.
The Nuggets could have solved those issues at the trade deadline, but given that they are heavily-capped, their options were limited. Denver now has no choice but to address its depth concerns in the buyout market, where their options are also rather restricted. Since the Nuggets are also above the tax apron, they are not able to sign any players who had a salary that was above the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception of $12.4 million, per ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks. With that, players like Kyle Lowry are off the table.
Nonetheless, there are still some options out there for Denver to consider. Here are three buyout candidates the defending champion Nuggets must pursue following the 2024 NBA trade deadline.
Danilo Gallinari became a free agent after the Detroit Pistons released the veteran forward after the trade deadline. Perhaps the Denver Nuggets could look to reunite with Gallinari, who played in Denver from 2011 to 2017, and bring him in from the buyout market. At this stage of his career, Gallinari has lost a bit of a step and is no longer the versatile forward he once was. Still, the 6-foot-10 forward can still put up some points on the board when needed.
Gallinari has spent most of the season with the Washington Wizards, where he appeared in 26 games and logged nearly 15 minutes a night. He averaged 7.0 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 43.5 percent from the field.
The Nuggets have a need for more big man depth, and Gallinari could serve as a backup four or five in Denver. He could provide them with more size off the bench and serve as a floor spacing big, who can also pass and make plays from the post.
