{"id":137610,"date":"2025-06-30T22:09:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T22:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/137610\/"},"modified":"2025-06-30T22:09:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T22:09:10","slug":"3-players-the-denver-nuggets-should-target-during-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/137610\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Players the Denver Nuggets Should Target During Free Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"

With free agency rapidly approaching<\/a>, teams and fan bases across the league are hoping for that key signing that could pave the way to future success. While some franchises will have the flexibility to pursue major moves, others\u2014like the Denver Nuggets\u2014will need to be more calculated, finding value on the margins with minimum contract signings this offseason that are still good enough to help a team with championship ambitions.<\/p>\n

3 Players the Denver Nuggets Should Target During Free Agency<\/p>\n

Despite their salary cap constraints, the Nuggets can\u2019t afford to be passive in this year\u2019s free agency. To remain in contention, Denver must be strategic and opportunistic to bolster their roster. The following players could be interesting options.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Mar 23, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Bruce Brown (00) passes the ball against the Detroit Pistons in the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
\n1. Bruce Brown<\/p>\n

While the saying goes, \u201cNever go back to an old flame,\u201d this might be the exception, especially considering we\u2019re just talking about basketball here. But why not reignite a partnership that was not only successful but mutually beneficial, ending up in a championship?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s be honest, since parting ways, things haven\u2019t exactly gone well for either side. Bruce Brown<\/a> cashed in after his pivotal role in the Nuggets\u2019 2023 championship run, securing a big contract with the Pacers. But he hasn\u2019t come close to replicating the impact he had in Denver; his declining performance eventually led to him being used as salary filler in the Brandon Ingram<\/a> trade to the Raptors. This fall from grace could work in Denver\u2019s favor. With his value at a low point, Brown might now be available on a veteran minimum deal\u2014a bargain for a player who was so vital to the Nuggets\u2019 first championship two years ago. A reunion could not only revive Brown\u2019s career but also strengthen Denver\u2019s bench with a familiar, versatile, and high-IQ contributor on both ends.<\/p>\n

Given his underwhelming stints since leaving the Mile High City, there likely won\u2019t be intense competition for his services, making a return to the Nuggets in this year\u2019s offseason all the more realistic.<\/p>\n

Brown\u2019s versatility would be especially valuable. He can defend positions one through four, handle the ball, and be a threat as a short roller in pick and rolls. That skill set makes him an ideal fit next to bench guards like Julian Strawther, <\/a>\u00a0and could allow him to thrive once again.<\/p>\n

2. Nicolas Batum<\/p>\n

The Nuggets saw firsthand in their series against the Clippers how impactful Nicolas Batum<\/a> can be \u2014 his standout performance, especially in the second half of Game 6, was incredibly impressive. The French veteran\u2019s basketball IQ on both ends, versatility, and ability to shoot from three would make him a great addition to this Denver team. He\u2019s capable of playing both the three and four, in addition to being a potential option at the five for some small-ball lineups.<\/p>\n

Batum could offer dependable minutes across multiple positions \u2014 a potentially essential safety net for a roster loaded with young but largely unproven talent.\u00a0 While signs point to him potentially staying with the Clippers, the Nuggets could offer a stronger chance at contending for a championship, which could ultimately persuade the veteran Frenchman to bring his talents to the Mile High City.<\/p>\n

3. Guerschon Yabusele<\/p>\n

The Nuggets had prolonged difficulties breaking down the Thunder\u2019s switch-heavy defense<\/a> during their playoff series, exposing a key offensive vulnerability. Adding a strong, versatile forward\/center in free agency who can exploit mismatches and provide scoring off the bench could be a valuable boost to the Nuggets\u2019 chances in a potential future series against the current champion. Guershon Yabusele\u2019s<\/a> combination of strength and skill makes him a strong candidate to fill that role effectively, while also addressing a clear offensive void in Denver\u2019s second unit, particularly from the big man spot.<\/p>\n

His exceptional strength and explosive, Zion Williamson<\/a>-like drives to the rim make him a serious threat against switch-heavy defenses, especially when paired with his ability to hit open threes. Though his NBA resume is limited, he brings a wealth of high-level international experience, primarily with Real Madrid and the French national team. The Spurs are reportedly showing interest and have the cap space to outbid the Nuggets, but if the opportunity presents itself, Denver should move quickly. He\u2019d be an ideal fit at the four or as a small-ball five, adding versatility and offensive punch to the frontcourt.<\/p>\n

The Last Word<\/p>\n

Given their current salary situation, meaningful upgrades won\u2019t come easily for the Nuggets this free agency, but viable options do exist that could make a significant impact. It\u2019s up to the front office to act decisively and avoid the kind of passive approach that defined Denver\u2019s free agency last year, when their only major signing came at the behest of their franchise player after an otherwise underwhelming offseason. If the Nuggets retain Russell Westbrook<\/a> and add two of the veteran players mentioned, their bench could be completely transformed, providing the scoring punch and stability needed to compete at the highest level, while still giving young players room to grow and eventually take over when ready.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Featured image: \u00a9 Kyle Ross-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With free agency rapidly approaching, teams and fan bases across the league are hoping for that key signing…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":137611,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3781],"tags":[7,6850,301,187,3943,204,6,1522,302,5990],"class_list":{"0":"post-137610","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-denver-nuggets","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-bruce-brown","10":"tag-denver","11":"tag-denver-nuggets","12":"tag-denvernuggets","13":"tag-guerschon-yabusele","14":"tag-nba","15":"tag-nicolas-batum","16":"tag-nuggets","17":"tag-spencer-dinwiddie"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/114774603607641953","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=137610"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137610\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/137611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=137610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=137610"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=137610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}