3 Free Agent Signings the Nuggets May Regret by January
The Denver Nuggets’ offseason decisions could backfire.
The Denver Nuggets have faced significant criticism for their offseason moves. They made the bold choice to let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leave in free agency to avoid the harsher financial penalties associated with the second tax apron. This decision left the team with limited resources to replace a key player.
General Manager Calvin Booth is relying on recent draft picks to step up. The team needs Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, and Peyton Watson to take on important roles this season. If these young players develop as hoped, the Nuggets could remain championship contenders, but there’s a big risk if they don’t improve.
The Nuggets made some free agent additions, but these signings come with substantial risk. Each player is expected to be a key contributor, but can they meet those expectations? The team may regret these decisions as the season progresses into 2025.
3. Vlatko Cancar
The 6’8 forward missed the entire 2023-24 season due to an ACL tear. Although Cancar played for Slovenia in the Olympic qualifying tournament, he appeared very rusty. Having been away from high-level play for a year, his struggles are understandable, but the Nuggets must have realistic expectations.
Before his injury, Cancar averaged 14.8 minutes per game off the bench, serving as a valuable floor spacer with size. However, his minutes dwindled during the playoffs when Denver won the championship. Now recovering from a major injury, Cancar is likely to be relied upon even more.
The Nuggets signed Cancar to a one-year minimum contract, so the financial risk is low. However, if Cancar can’t contribute, the team may regret not signing someone else to fill his role, especially if Michael Porter Jr. or Aaron Gordon is sidelined.
The Nuggets are familiar with Cancar’s game and hope he can return stronger than before. If not, the team might need to address this gap before the trade deadline, which may not be the only issue they face.
2. Dario Saric
The Nuggets signed Saric to a two-year, $10.6 million contract this offseason, using their taxpayer mid-level exception on the veteran. The 6’10 big man brings size and versatility to the frontcourt, but there are significant concerns.
Saric fell out of the Warriors’ rotation last season. He averaged over 20 minutes per game until January, but his playing time drastically diminished thereafter. The 30-year-old played in just six of the Warriors’ final 22 games, with the team preferring Draymond Green, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Jonathan Kuminga over him. Despite missing the playoffs, the Warriors still couldn’t find consistent minutes for Saric.
Behind Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets are thin in the frontcourt. Rookie Da’Ron Holmes is out for the season, and while Zeke Nnaji is eager to prove himself, the team lacks other options. DeAndre Jordan is unlikely to take on a larger role, leaving Saric with a significant opportunity.
Is Saric ready for the challenge? He averaged 8.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 17.2 minutes per game last season, but hasn’t played more than 20 minutes a night since 2020. While Saric offers some floor spacing and versatility, the Nuggets may regret this signing if he struggles to make an impact. If head coach Michael Malone decides to reduce his role, finding a suitable replacement could be difficult.
1. Russell Westbrook
After being traded by the Clippers to Utah, Russell Westbrook was waived by the Jazz, allowing the Nuggets to sign him to a minimum contract. Nikola Jokic wanted Westbrook on the team, despite the former MVP’s recent struggles. Although Westbrook can still score and create plays, he’s no longer the elite player he once was.
Westbrook’s time with the Lakers and Clippers was marked by difficulties due to his ball-dominant style, which doesn’t fit well as a secondary option. At 6’4, Westbrook doesn’t offer floor spacing and isn’t a strong defender. Without his scoring and playmaking, he can quickly become a liability.
Last season, Westbrook accepted a bench role with the Clippers, but will he be willing to do the same behind Christian Braun? If the Nuggets start him, it could create issues on both ends of the floor. With Jokic as the primary playmaker and Jamal Murray as the second option, Westbrook is likely to have a limited reserve role, which only works if he fully embraces it.
The Denver Nuggets could see all their free agent signings backfire by January. The only other player they added was DeAndre Jordan, who is no longer capable of handling a regular role. If these signings don’t work out, Denver might face a tough season, which is the last thing they want with Jokic in his prime. Fans can only hope for the best.
