Nuggets’ Connelly talks Gordon, McGee trades
Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly met with the media on Friday a day after Denver’s conference-rattling trades for Aaron Gordon and JaVale McGee.
Connelly elaborated on why Gordon’s a fit, what role Nikola Jokic’s MVP-caliber season played in the team’s aggression and what the moves mean for the Nuggets’ championship window. Here are highlights:
On what Aaron Gordon brings: “Positional versatility. … I think he’s one of the most underrated defenders in the league. I think he has a chance to be an all-league defender. Extremely competitive guy with a big-time work ethic. … I don’t think there’s many guys in the league that have his defensive upside.”
Analysis: Forget about the slam dunk contest. Gordon’s elite athleticism was secondary to his defensive potential. The Nuggets knew they were vulnerable against LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Luka Doncic. The move to add Gordon addresses their biggest need and, at minimum, gives the Nuggets a legitimate chance against any team in the
Western Conference. Connelly talked about how Gordon embraces those particular showcase assignments. If Gordon can provide some resistance against those bigger, more physical wings in the postseason, the gamble will have been worth it. And, as Connelly clearly believes, Gordon hasn’t tapped his full defensive potential.
On Gordon and McGee meshing with Denver’s core: “Any time you make a big addition, you have to do so first and foremost thinking about your best players. Nikola and Jamal are clearly our two foundational pieces. How do you help them? How do you protect them? Any major move we make is firmly with those guys in mind. Both Aaron and JaVale check both those boxes, can both help and protect those guys.”
Analysis: The Nuggets aren’t ignorant to their defensive limitations. If Gordon can shore up the perimeter and potentially inhibit opponents’ driving lanes, there’s not going to be nearly as much pressure on Jokic to defend around the basket. On the flip side, Gordon was probably miscast in Orlando due to the Magic’s roster limitations. He’s not going to need to initiate offense, or take guys one-on-one or deal with opponents’ best defenders. Instead, assuming he buys into an off-ball role and never stops moving on offense, he’s going to feast while Jokic puts easy baskets on a platter.
Connelly also mentioned how in order for the Nuggets to take another step toward a title, he needs Jokic and Murray to offer their input on potential acquisitions. And while neither have been too proactive in such discussions, he did say both players and Nuggets coach Michael Malone were consulted.
On the urgency to make a move because of Jokic’s season: “It’s hard not to be inspired by his level of play, and while we never want to feel like we have to rush anything or skip steps, when you see a guy playing at that level, it’s extra motivation to try to even be that much more aggressive. … We want to make sure we’re doing right by him since he’s certainly doing right by our organization.”
Analysis: Connelly admitted there’s urgency as a result of Jokic’s dominance. Joker has two more years left on his deal following this current season. Instead of getting into a situation like Milwaukee was this offseason, having to forfeit a handful of draft assets to get Jrue Holiday that ultimately helped the Bucks keep Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Nuggets are being proactive. It’s go time. The aggression at the trade deadline was because the Nuggets see an opportunity to win this year.
Added Connelly: “I think there’s a lot of teams that have the ability to go win it all, and I like to think we’re one of them.”
On Gordon’s introduction: “I’m sure I talked his ear off. At some point, I said ‘I’ll give you a little bit of time to rest because I’m sure you’re sick of me talking to you and telling you how great our coaching staff is, how great the city is, how great our organization is.’ In doing all the research on Aaron, it was a common theme of extremely competitive and driven guy. A guy that really cares about winning, cares about winning at the highest level. … His eyes perked up when you talk about some of the playoff games we’ve had.”
Analysis: Connelly flew to Denver with Gordon and, evidently, sold the soap. Gordon’s never been in a winning environment like the one that awaits him. He got a taste of the postseason in Orlando, but the Western Conference is a different animal. Assuming the intel Denver’s front office gleaned was correct, Gordon’s going to be in the kind of environment he’s craved. He may never have had the type of basketball responsibilities the Nuggets are going to task him with. In that sense, there’s a chance he reaches new levels as a player.
On Jokic’s MVP season and the expectations that come with it: “We’re going to a see a level of sustained basketball that I don’t think we’ve ever seen in this town.”
Buckle up.