Howdy folks, this is the first non-football related article here on the substack, and we’ll see if the dual football-basketball focus sticks long-term.
NBA Free Agency begins tomorrow and I wanted to write a list of potential Nuggets targets with the Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, or Vet Minimum Deal.
Without further ado, let’s dig in.
TP-MLE Targets:
Bruce Brown · G · New Orleans Pelicans
Hitting free-agency for the first time since departing the Nuggets following their 2023 championship win, Bruce Brown is a natural fit. Bruce Brown played a pivotal role on the Nuggets championship window, averaging 11.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG and 3.4 APG in his lone season with Denver. Bruce Brown is coming off of his worst season in PPG and FG% since his rookie season—making him affordable as a potential TP-MLE add. Adding Bruce Brown to a bench unit which has been lackluster since his departure is something all Nuggets fans should be interested in the idea of.
Chris Boucher · F/C · Toronto Raptors
Around the trade deadline there were multiple reports that the Nuggets could’ve pursued a potential move for Boucher, now he is a potential TP-MLE target for Denver. Coming off of a season where he eclipsed 10 PPG and 4.5 RPG, Boucher could be a very good option for Denver’s bench unit—potentially adding a piece to take some weight off of Nikola Jokic’s back, which he’s had on him ever since Denver hasn’t been able to find a replacement for Mason Plumlee. Boucher’s length and athleticism really intrigues me, and would serve as great frontcourt depth if Denver were to secure a free agent deal for him.
Luke Kennard · G · Memphis Grizzlies
Quite possibly my favorite name on this list, Kennard is an elite 3-point shooter who would provide much needed consistent scoring from the bench unit. The Nikola Jokic effect is real—finding a shooter of Kennard’s skill and putting him alongside Jokic could spring a career best year from Kennard if he were to sign with Denver. Signing a 1-year deal with the TP-MLE would set Kennard on the open market next season where he could earn much more than he’s set to this offseason. Luke Kennard would lead Denver’s bench unit and would add a much needed consistent shooter to the rotation’s outlook.
Veteran Minimum Targets:
Doug McDermott · F · Sacramento Kings
Speaking of elite 3-point shooters, McDermott poses as a very intriguing option for the Nuggets. McDermott would add a consistent veteran presence to the bench unit and add much needed depth. McDermott shot 43.6% from the 3-point arc this year and had some of his biggest games against the Nuggets, recording 16 points shooting 66.7% on December 16th, and recording 15 points shooting 71.4% on January 23rd. McDermott is consistently efficient, and adding him as bench depth could be a sneakily high upside move.
Dante Exum · G · Dallas Mavericks
After being out of the NBA for 3-years, in 2023 Exum made his return to the association with the Dallas Mavericks, where he paved out 2 solid seasons. Exum is now headed for free agency after a season where he averaged 8.7 PPG in 20 games played. Exum would be a beneficial addition to the Nuggets bench unit, with Dallas over the past 2 seasons he’s been a very efficient scorer—shooting 53.3% with the Mavericks in 2023-24. Exum is likely to have a contested free agent market between contenders offering minimum contracts, and the Nuggets should jump on the opportunity.
Sandro Mamukelashvili · F/C · San Antonio Spurs
One that Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) has been pushing for awhile. Mamukelashvili has been around the league for a bit providing a solid frontcourt presence for the Bucks and Spurs. Coming off of a year averaging 6.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG on 50.2% FG, he seems to be a cheap, yet beneficial option for the Nuggets. Adding frontcourt depth should be a priority for Denver this offseason, and on a veteran minimum Sandro Mamukelashvili could be a fun option.
Thank You for reading this edition of the Andy Substack, this time with NBA coverage. We’ll see if it sticks long-term, more NFL Draft stuff on the way as always and potentially more NBA stuff!