The 2x reigning NBA League MVP Nikola Jokic is expected to have some much needed help returning next season in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. And now we can throw Kentavious Caldwell-Pope into the mix as well, leaving behind a couple key contributors to the 21-22 Nuggets who finished with the 6th seed in the West and lost to the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors 4-1 in the 1st round, both Monte Morris and Will Barton are headed to Washington to team up with Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porziņģis (given Beal stays in Washington). Ish Smith longtime backup Point Guard will also be headed to Denver with KCP.
Denver is looking to make a run in to 22-23 season, after a 2 season delay to try to build on what they did in bubble making it all the way to the Western Conference Finals, but the last 2 seasons have been riddled with injury as Murray went down with an ACL, and Porter Jr. has been battling injuries as well. With a fully healthy squad the Clippers are a serious threat to come out of the West. A staring lineup of: Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic.
For the Wizards this move doesn’t make too much since if Beal is expected to return. Considering they just drafted Johnny Davis in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft, now adding more depth in the backcourt, and giving up a solid wing defender. This move does make sense however if the Wizards are planning on losing Bradley Beal to free agency.
Overall grade for the Nuggets is B. Yes the get a strong wing defender, however they lose 2 key contributors from their squad. Nuggets do have a chance of winning the Finals. Not saying they are the favorite, but they are one of the teams who you give a chance to.
The Wizards I give them a solid C-. This organization is in a desperate need for a rebuild. With or without Bradley Beal this team is an outside chance of making the play in tournament.
