Connelly discusses offseason decisions
Nuggets president Tim Connelly knows it’s supposed to be hard.
Facing a summer of choices with luxury tax implications, a roster filled with talent yet besieged by injuries and a likely twotime MVP to protect, Connelly’s responsibilities are immense.
In the wake of Wednesday’s 4-1 first-round playoff ouster to Golden State, Connelly met with the media Friday for nearly 30 minutes to talk about the season that was and foreshadow decisions he faces this off-season. Topics included upcoming roster decisions, questions about the health of franchise players Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., and the most valuable puzzle piece of all, Nikola Jokic.
Here are the most significant things Connelly said and why they matter.
On Nikola Jokic’s impending supermax contract offer:
“It’s a pretty big (priority) … There’s nothing more important, organizationally, than to make sure Nikola stays here as long as he wants to play the game.”
On how long Jokic wants to keep playing:
“Until it’s no longer fun.” Analysis: Connelly was laughing when he was asked about Jokic’s recent enthusiasm over signing a five-year extension. He knows he’s in a fortunate position to have a superstar eager to remain with the organization that drafted him and one who’s as invested in the future of the Nuggets as Jokic is. Expect the Nuggets to offer Jokic that five-year, $254 million deal as soon as free agency opens. That would keep him under contract through the 2027-28 season.
His lone priorities have always been winning and enjoyment, with the financial benefits as far down the list as any superstar in the NBA.
As long as he still enjoys coming to work, the Nuggets will remain competitive.
On apprehensions he had giving Porter a five-year extension:
“You analyze everything. Oftentimes the best indicator of future health is current health. Unfortunately, he had the injuries he dealt with this year. The previous couple years going into that contractual negotiation (last summer) we felt pretty good about it. Certainly his numbers were reflective of a guy that you’re going to have to give a lot of money. Hindsight is 20/20. I think we looked as much as we can. We’ve tended to be a team that rewards guys earlier instead of getting to the marketplace.”
Analysis: The Nuggets could’ve waited until this summer to do a deal with Porter, who played only nine games this past season due to back trouble. Only a few months after the deal was signed, Porter
underwent his third back surgery which kept him sidelined for the rest of the season.
Despite his attempt to return — and the subsequent setback that kept him out longer —Porter will begin his new five-year deal next season making nearly $30 million a year. It’s impossible to know what Porter could’ve earned in restricted free agency, but given how this season went, the Nuggets probably wish they would’ve waited to find out.
On why Denver never ruled Jamal Murray or Porter out for the season:
“It’s their body. … Whenever there’s an injury, the player has to have the loudest voice.”
Analysis: Connelly stressed this point in Friday’s news conference. Porter was ramping up when he had a setback and appeared well on his way to returning this season. With Murray, it was a different case. He never felt comfortable or confident in returning to play, though, as evident by his pregame workouts in front of fans and media, he tried to return.
Connelly said it was a fluid timeframe, with optimistic days and darker days. He never wanted to put a definitive answer on a rehab process, and the last thing the Nuggets wanted to do was apply pressure. Connelly insisted this was a collective choice, and both players confirmed they were on the same page with management.
On roster upgrades and paying a luxury tax:
“Whenever you lose you have to be extremely self-critical and analyze areas where we’re not where we need to be. Losing Mike was really big, but losing P.J. Dozier, that was really two guys, all our depth at the small forward position, so we had to play some pretty wonky lineups. … I think it’s pretty evident where we need to get better.”
On Demarcus Cousins: “Boogie was fantastic. He brought a ton. … He helped stabilize that second unit.”
On Davon Reed: “He’s a guy that we’re very high on for the future.”
On the luxury tax: “If the team is good enough, (ownership will) pay accordingly.”
Analysis: Connelly was asked about the team’s perimeter defense, which is how he settled on referencing Porter and Dozier, really the team’s only small forwards on the roster. Anyone who watched the Warriors dissect Denver’s perimeter defenders knows exactly where they need to improve. Signing defensive wings should be the priority this summer.
Connelly sung Cousins’ praises. The veteran’s impact, particularly in the postseason, was noteworthy. Backing up the MVP isn’t ideal for anyone, but Cousins proved he’s still got some gas left in the tank. The Nuggets need to consider bringing him back.
Reed didn’t make the playoff roster because converting him to a standard contract would’ve meant cutting another player who was ingrained in their locker room. After deliberation, the Nuggets opted against it. That being said, take Connelly at his word and assume they’re interested in retaining Reed this offseason.
On pitying the burden Jokic played with all season:
“If Nikola heard me say that I felt for him, I think he might slap me.”
Analysis: Though he didn’t have much help all season, Jokic never complained. He knows how lucky he is to have been entrusted with the keys to the franchise and understands the responsibilities that come with that. And if Connelly ever felt pity for him, he knows a swift right hand would follow.