NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Denver Nuggets
By Adam Stocker
2. Making a decision at small forward
Danilo Gallinari has a player option this summer that he will likely opt out of. Gallinari turns 29-years old this summer and will be looking to cash in on his last major chance at free agency. After last year’s cap spike, the market will likely see Gallinari sign for at least four-years and $80 million. The question then becomes, does Denver pay that much for an aging scorer who has already missed a season with a knee injury? Or let him walk? Re-signing Gallinari is not a bad option, but the Nuggets would return next season in the same position as last season, counting on internal development to get them to the next tier. If Denver is going to make the jump to the playoffs they need to upgrade somewhere.
Letting Gallinari walk is risky if they can not sign a viable replacement. Gordon Hayward will be a free agent this summer. The Utah wing will be cashing in with a max contract somewhere. If Denver can sign Hayward they would instantly upgrade over Gallinari — Hayward continues to improve and is a couple of years younger than Gallinari.
Otto Porter Jr. is a restricted free agent this summer. While he does not have the same track record or career numbers of either Gallinari or Hayward, Porter has improved each of his four professional seasons. Porter only turns 24-years old this summer and put up career-high numbers in almost every statistical category this year. This season, Porter shoot 43.4 percent from 3-pointer on 341 attempts. Signing Porter might make the most sense because he will be in his prime through the entire life of his contract. While Gallinari and Hayward may not age well into their mid-30s.
Porter signing a big money contract with Denver is not improbable. The Wizards currently have John Wall and Bradley Beal signed to big contracts and would have to dip into the luxury tax to match any offer to Porter.