The Denver Nuggets entered the offseason with some key decisions to make regarding their roster as they try to return to championship form next season behind superstar center Nikola Jokic.
While many expected the Nuggets to make some minor changes to their roster, they have instead been very active in free agency and the trade market as they have made some major changes.
Denver started the offseason by sending Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets to Cameron Johnson.
Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson (2).
Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson (2).
Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
They then signed Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency and also landed Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Dario Saric.
With the Nuggets retooling their roster this offseason, more moves may be on the way and they have recently emerged as one of the favorites to sign a nine-time All-Star in free agency.
According to BetUS, the Nuggets have the third-best odds (+400) to sign Damian Lillard in free agency.
The Miami Heat are the favorite (+200) to sign him and they are followed by the Portland Trail Blazers (+300).
Of course, the Milwaukee Bucks waived Lillard on Tuesday so that they could sign former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner in a move that shocked the NBA world.
Lillard is set to miss most, or all, of next season due to a torn Achilles that he suffered during the first round of the playoffs last season but he has emerged as one of the top available free agents this summer.
Former Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0).
Former Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0).
Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
For Denver, adding Lillard would be a massive move despite him possibly being out the entirety of next season.
Lillard is an elite scorer and playmaker that would fit well next to the Nuggets’ core of Jokic, Jamal Murray, Johnson and Aaron Gordon as he would give them another star to help them compete for a title over the next couple of seasons.
Despite this, Denver may hold off on signing Lillard due to his injury and there should be many other teams around the NBA that show interest in the 34-year-old this summer.