The Denver Nuggets would be playing in the postseason now had the 2019-20 season not been suspended due to the coronavirus crisis. After all, with All-Star big man Nikola Jokic leading the way, they have established themselves as legitimate threats in the Western Conference.
Denver was in third place in the West — only behind the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers — before the hiatus, boasting a 43-22 record and looking primed for a deeper postseason run.
The Nuggets lost to the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals in seven epic games. The heartbreak of losing that series at home stuck with Jokic and Co. all summer, which is why the team looked even hungrier than ever entering the 2019-20 campaign.
Nuggets fans are hoping the season resumes since they want to watch their favorite basketball team go on a deep playoff run. While the players and staff certainly hope that's the case as well, Denver's front office should prepare for free agency and improving their roster, especially since there is a glaring issue they have to address.
Denver made only 707 triples before the season was suspended, putting them in 25th place in the NBA. The Nuggets need to become a more lethal team from distance if they ultimately want to win a championship.
Jokic commands double and sometimes even triple teams when he’s in the post operating. Denver needs to surround “The Joker” with more shooters to roam around the perimeter so he has ample space to work with and can pass it out to snipers when he collapses the paint. That would also allow them to fully utilize Jokic's incredible passing ability.
The Nuggets also need an advanced shot-creator who can score without needing a screen.
Fortunately, Utah Jazz shooting guard Jordan Clarkson, who becomes an unrestricted free agent in the 2020 offseason, fits the type of player Denver needs coming off its bench. In 2019-20 and in separate stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz, he averaged 15.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 46.5 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 84.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Clarkson is a good catch-and-shoot player, but he does most of his damage with the ball in his hands and scoring off the dribble. The Nuggets averaged 35.7 points per game off the bench this season, which was good for 18th in the league. That ranking would increase if Clarkson was on the team and had his unit to run off the bench.
Denver gets enough scoring from its starting lineup. Jokic, Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, and Paul Milsap each can score 20 points in their sleep. With Michael Porter Jr. demonstrating this season he's got the potential of being a microwave scorer off the bench, the Nuggets could challenge the Los Angeles Clippers for the title of “best bench duo in the NBA.”
L.A. has Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell, but Clarkson and Porter Jr. could give the Clippers' duo a run for their money.
Clarkson, who began his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, has career NBA numbers of 14.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. He can serve as a good playmaker for the Nuggets off their bench and his scoring prowess would take the pressure off of Monte Morris to score the ball every possession for Denver's second unit.
Jordan Clarkson was making $13.4 million this season. The Nuggets will likely have to outbid the Jazz to sign the 27-year-old Florida native since Utah gave up draft picks to get him from Cleveland.
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