By Jordan Long
The Denver Nuggets are 26-18, 5th in the Western Conference. With the trade deadline looming today at 1 P.M Mountain Time, the Denver Nuggets are looking to improve the team for a deep run in the postseason. They acquired center JaVale McGee from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Denver Nuggets’ weakness on the bench is a backup center to Nikola Jokic. Jokic is the top center for the Nuggets if not the best in the NBA. He is averaging 27 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game. He is a legitimate contender for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award this season.
Denver didn’t have a lot of depth at center behind him. Denver lost backup center Mason Plumlee to Detroit in the offseason. He was a free agent and agreed to a 3 year, $25 million contract with the Pistons. Before the trade deadline, the Nuggets’ depth was Isaiah Hartenstein and Bol Bol. Hartenstein appeared in 30 games for the Nuggets, averaging 3.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Those aren’t exactly the numbers Denver wants to see from their backup. Bol Bol on the other hand is in his 2nd NBA season and has yet to show the Nuggets what he is capable of. He has seen action in 19 games this year. Denver decided it was time to make a trade.
The Nuggets didn’t give up much to acquire McGee. Cleveland acquires Isaiah Hartenstein along with 2 future second round picks, a protected pick in 2023 and an unprotected selection in 2027.
McGee is familiar with the Denver Nuggets’ organization. He played for the Nuggets from 2012 to 2015 but was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2015 season. McGee brings in experience to the Denver Nuggets. He is in his 15th year in the NBA.
McGee gives Denver depth at center. He is a defender who averages 1.2 blocks and 5.2 rebounds per game this season. McGee should provide energy off the bench to help the Nuggets win games. He is not a scorer but can put the basketball through the hoop in close range, averaging 8 points per game.
When it comes to the postseason, McGee appeared in 58 playoff games. He knows how to help a team win. The Nuggets hope adding McGee will help them in their playoff seeding. They want to climb to the 2nd or 3rd seed. Denver is 2.5 games behind the L.A. Clippers for 3rd and the Suns are 3.5 games ahead of the Nuggets for 2nd.
Denver may make more moves before 1 P.M Mountain Time. This deal for McGee improves the Nuggets, even if it is the only one they make. Hopefully, it helps them make another deep run in the postseason.
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