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NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Denver Nuggets

By Adam Stocker

Dec 30, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) and guard Jamal Murray (27) in the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Pepsi Center. The 76ers won 124-122. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) and guard Jamal Murray (27) in the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Pepsi Center. The 76ers won 124-122. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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free throw
Oct 3, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) takes a free throw against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Finding a stretch four

Denver currently has Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur under contract for next season. Faried is not a threat to take any 3-pointers, while Arthur can knock down the 3, he only played in 41 games a season ago. Adding a stretch four would allow Denver to have better spacing on the floor and give them more flexible lineup combinations.

Patrick Patterson is a viable option for the Nuggets. Assuming Toronto is able to resign both Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka they will not have enough money to sign Patterson. The Kentucky product is able to play forward and even shift to center occasionally allowing Denver to get more wings on the floor and create more spacing for their guards. For his career, Patterson is a 36.8 percent shooter from 3-point land.

Denver could also sign Nikola Mirotic to an offer sheet. Mirotic came to the NBA with a lot of hype, but Chicago fans began to sour on him last season. While Mirotic’s defense leaves much to be desired, he does offer a good offensive game. Mirotic has averaged more than 10 points per game in each of his seasons in the NBA and is a career 35 percent 3-point shooter. However, if Denver does sign Mirotic to an offer sheet, Chicago would have the right to match the contract.

Another option, but potentially unlikely, would be  Denver signing Blake Griffin to a max contract. Griffin has an early termination option in his contract that he may use. The Clippers may choose to blow up their roster following another early playoff exit. While Griffin is not known for his floor-stretching, the Oklahoma product attempted a career-high in 3s last season and connected on 33.6 percent of them. If Griffin continues to develop his all-around game he could be the type of player that takes Denver from a lottery team to a playoff team.

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