The dream finally ended for the Denver Nuggets with a Game 5 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. It was a tremendous run while it lasted, but there's no denying that the season ultimately ended in disappointment for this team.
Be that as it may, if there's anything the Nuggets proved in their astounding postseason run — which included coming back from 3-1 down in the series twice — is that they are indeed one of the best teams in the NBA right now.
This is no fluke. Last season, the Nuggets finished second in the regular season in a ruthless Western Conference, just three games behind the mighty Golden State Warriors. Denver was eliminated by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round but took the next step this season.
While the series against the Lakers ultimately ended with the Nuggets winning just one game, they fought valiantly. Anthony Davis saved the Lakers in Game 2 with his unforgettable game-winner at the buzzer, which had he missed, would have tied the series at 1-1.
After winning Game 3, Denver also made a furious run late in Game 4, which they almost ended up stealing from the Lakers. Had a few breaks gone their way, the result of this series could have been different.
Taking all of this into account, it is clear that the Nuggets are here to stay. This team is a legitimate threat in the West, and they're going to have another run at the title next year.
So, what now for the Nuggets? It's going to be a very interesting offseason for them, with a number of key personnel decisions that need to be made. Based on what we've seen in the playoffs from this team, this should be the No. 1 priority for Denver in the offseason, with their sights set on a potential championship run in 2021.
To be more specific, the Nuggets should place the extension of Jerami Grant at the very top of their list this offseason. There's no two ways around it. The 26-year-old proved that he belongs in Denver's core, so the Nuggets must prioritize the long-term extension of the 6-foot-8 forward. With his outstanding play throughout, Grant has also earned himself a hefty bump in his salary, and it would be in Denver's best interest to pay up.
Grant has a $9.3 million player option on his current deal for next season, and he's expected to opt out of that and look to negotiate a more significant payday. The important thing here is for his part, Grant seems to be happy with life in Denver, so the Nuggets will just need to make the money work.
Since arriving in Denver last summer via trade deal from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Grant emerged as a key cog in Nuggets head coach Michael Malone's system. He was an important piece for the team throughout the regular season, but he proved his worth the most during the Western Conference Finals.
Grant exploded for 26 points in Denver's Game 3 win, proving to be the team's X-factor in the victory. Even more importantly, he proved to be the team's best defender throughout the series, taking on both Davis and LeBron James. Let's also not forget the stellar job Grant did against reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard in the second round against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Grant possesses all the right tools to excel in today's NBA, and his two-way play has been crucial for the Nuggets. They need more of the same from him next season.
It's also worth noting that along with Grant, Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee will also be free agents in the offseason. While both are also important players for the Nuggets, it's Grant that has to be the priority between the three — especially once you factor in the money.
The Nuggets still look like they are missing a key piece to really be a legitimate threat to the title next season. Their young core led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray is tremendous, and they're only going to get better. Michael Porter Jr. is living up to the lofty expectations many had for him when the Nuggets selected him 14th overall in 2018. They will also get Will Barton back, which proved to be a key loss for them in the bubble.
However, despite their strengths, it still appears that they are in need of an upgrade. This is likely something the front office will work on during the offseason, and bringing in a third star might be within their reach.
Nevertheless, they need to get their priorities straight and get the Grant extension out of the way first. He's virtually theirs to lose at this point, so it would be best to get this done at the soonest possible time. Letting him walk away for nothing would not exactly be catastrophic for the team, but it would be a key loss for them and their hopes for a title next season.
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