2012/13 Finish: 46 - 36

Season Highlight

Another, already sixth year in a row, for the Nuggets to reach the western conference playoffs. Denver's plan was to build the team around Dwight Howard, but will this even happen? Superman is free agent after last season and he may not stay in Denver. That could cause some gray hairs to nick. But now we should be talking about highlights. Winning 46 games and a good fight against Sacramento in conference Semis is good enough for this team, right? Also Manuel Ginobili playing in 62 games is a bright side for Nuggets.

Season Lowlight

Weeks 7 and 8 when Nuggets managed to win only 1 game of 8. Specially week 7 when Denver played with all players and did not win a game. That is something that a team with that kind of pedigree can not afford.

Best Trade

The Denver Nuggets send Rodney Stuckey to the Detroit Pistons. The Detroit Pistons send Kirk Hinrich and Udonis Haslem to the Denver Nuggets. 
The Denver Nuggets send a 2nd-Rounder (Atl) and 2nd-Rounder (Den) to the Detroit Pistons. The Detroit Pistons send a 1st-Rounder (Det) to the Denver Nuggets. 

The Denver Nuggets trade -13 GM points.The Detroit Pistons receive 13 GM points.

If I understand this correctly then Denver send away Stuckey for Hinrich and Cody Zeller, who exploded in this years summer league and he could be another great player from draft for GM nick. He is really a good talent seeker and at the moment I think that nick is more than happy with what he got in this trade.

Worst Trade

There really is not one trade that it would be really bad for denver in my oppinion.

Other Notable Trades

The Atlanta Hawks send Gordon Hayward to the Denver Nuggets. The Denver Nuggets send Danny Granger to the Atlanta Hawks. The Denver Nuggets send Devin Harris to the Houston Rockets. The Houston Rockets send Rodney Stuckey and Evan Fournier to the Denver Nuggets. 
The Atlanta Hawks send a 2nd-Rounder (Atl) and 2nd-Rounder (OKC) to the Denver Nuggets. 

The Atlanta Hawks trade -29 GM points.The Denver Nuggets receive 3 GM points. The Houston Rockets receive 26 GM points.

Instead of Danny Granger, a legit team leader, if healthy, Nuggets get a starting calibre PG in Stuckey and a good role player in Hayward. They re-traded them both before the end of the season. A good move for nick, because Granger was injured and he was getting more and more risky to keep. At the end he acquired some young talents which will be the bright future for Nuggets in next seasons.

Best FA Signing

No free agents worth of mentioning were signed by Denver Nuggets.

Worst FA Signing

No free agents worth of mentioning were signed by Denver Nuggets.

Star

Dwight Howard

With all the circus around Superman we think that he was the main character in Denver squad last season. He averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds trough the campaign and was a beast under the basket. Combined with Manu Ginobili they were one of the best duos in the league but they were not enough for the Kings and the path in 2012/13 campaing ended in conference semis.

Surprise

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

He is indeed a rookie, but what a change in his game since he arrived from Washington. Maybe it is true that Darko gave up on this guy too soon? While playing for Wizzards MKG averaged only 4 points per game. As soon as he arrived to Denver his average rised to an amazing 13 points per game. Not bad for rookie, isn't it?

Goat

Another year in the row that I would go with the behaviour goat – Dwight Howard. Denver does not have a player on their roster that would go under expectations a lot. But there is this guy who thinks that he is the only one on the world, that the world is spinning around him. On the other side there is a GM that is building his team around him though he knows he may leave. I will start to wonder if a goat is Dwight or nick?

Draft Report Card

Denver got away with Cody Zeller from the trade with Detroit and they can be very happy. Cody's got unique skill set, unique athleticism and unprecedented character. He's a young guy that will help this team a lot in the upcoming years if we can judge on this summer league.

Next they get Shane Larkin, a very well rounded player that can score from a three pointer, a mid-range or getting to the rim. If you foul him, he'll nail both free throws. Another good thing is that he is able to adapt his game very fast.

In the second round they selected Mike Muscala, a very versatile player on both ends of the floor and the great characted. If leaded correctly, he could become good role player.

Looking to the Future

Nick managed to get some young bodies into his team and if he can convince Ginobili and specially Howard to stick around we can be sure that this is another top year for the Nuggets. But maybe some more experince would be needed to get it on the top. Two good signings from the draft should see the place on the roster. And they are expected to do some damage night in and out. It is interesting to look on team roster and see that most players are younger than 24 and the rest are all older than 30 years old. Interesting mixtures that looks like a receipt for success in Denver.

Upcoming Free Agents

Dwight Howard – go away Howard or stay and sign a long term contract. Denver could use center well and it's a pretty good team, but if you are attection w*ore and money seeker... well... there is not much more to help...

Manuel Ginobili – a vital experienced piece to keep for nick, but there could be a big chance that Manu could try free agency market. Or maybe not if he is happy with his role in the team. And he sure is having big role! Stay healthy Manu!

DeJuan Blair – he is a restricted free agent and Denver has already extended the qualifying offer so expect him to be back next season.

Samuel Dalembert and Sebastian Telfair are probably both gone for the next season. Or will nick sign Telfair again from free agency? Dude seriously, what do you see on that guy?