Ahead of the Denver Nuggets contest against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone told the media he had reached out to the three players recently traded by the team.
Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez, and Jarred Vanderbilt were all traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Malone wished them well before their first game as members of the Timberwolves. The three players were shipped out in moves with Washington and Minnesota that ultimately brought Keita Bates-Diop, Noah Vonleh, Jordan McRae, and a first-round pick to Denver.
The Nuggets' recent travel schedule had prevented Malone from addressing the deals publicly and personally saying goodbye to the ex-Nuggets before the deadline. But it was important for Malone to leave on positive terms with his former players. “There were so many different things (going on Tuesday night), but I definitely reached out,” Malone said. “We’ve been communicating with each other. I just sent all three of those guys a message for their first games tonight as Minnesota Timberwolves against the Clippers.”
“Change is inevitable in the NBA,” Malone continued. “Players come, players go. Malik and Juancho were here for four years, Jarred for two. Everybody’s leaving on positive terms. I’m happy for those guys. Those guys are going to get opportunities in Minnesota that they deserve.”
His words rang true Saturday. The Wolves snapped their 13-game losing streak with possibly their most impressive win of the season, beating the Clippers 142-115, and the former Nuggets shined. Beasley hit seven threes on his way to a 23-point, 10- rebound night, while Hernangomez started and contributed 14 points (4-6 FG).
Meanwhile, the Nuggets did just fine in their first game without their former players. Denver topped Phoenix 117-108.
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