Ex-Champ Faces Unlucky Destiny as NBA Rule Ties Nikola Jokic & Nuggets’ Fingers Amid Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Retention Woes

Regardless of securing their first championship title again in 2023, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets had been unsuccessful in replicating their feat for a second consecutive time. Because of this, the continuing low season will now be spent on strengthening the workforce’s place for the longer term. Earlier than buying new gamers, nevertheless, the franchise has to make sure that one in all its prime gamers, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, continues to stay inside its fold. The problem lies in navigating the NBA wage cap guidelines.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, having declined an choice clause that may have paid him $15.4 million subsequent season, has opted without spending a dime company and made himself obtainable to a number of groups who pays extra. To make up some wage house and retain their key participant, the Nuggets could also be getting ready to ship an unlucky destiny to one in all their gamers. By not extending Justin Vacation’s contract, the Nuggets can clear extra space on their wage cap.

Just a few hours in the past, DNVR Sports activities reporter Harrison Wind took to his official X account. He highlighted that there’s a good probability that the Denver Nuggets is not going to choose to re-sign taking pictures guard Justin Vacation as soon as the free company course of commences. Moreover, he additionally said that whereas the franchise could look to get another participant in trade for Zeke Nnaji, no different commerce proposals are anticipated to bear fruition quickly. The primary focus can be moved in direction of filling the 2 remaining roster spots via free company.

Justin Vacation, who received the NBA championship alongside the Golden State Warriors again in 2015, was enjoying for the Nuggets beneath a 1-year, $3.196 million contract. By not extending his contract, the franchise can clear up extra space on their wage cap. This could be a much-welcomed scenario, provided that the Nuggets are presently in a precarious place financially. Based on Spotrac, the franchise has a complete cap allocation amounting to $215 million promised to its prime 10 gamers, with a serious chunk of it going to Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon. Consequently, they will solely spend $8.272 million and $19.1 million to keep away from going over the First Apron and Second Apron respectively. To keep away from paying any extra fines.

By just lately letting go of level guard Reggie Jackson, the Nuggets have already saved over $5.25 million for themselves. A attainable Justin Vacation exit would additionally be certain that the franchise has sufficient cash to retain Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and keep away from incurring extra fines.

Is Klay Thompson a backup in case Kentavious Caldwell-Pope declines to return again?

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s resolution to say no his participant choice and go for free company could point out a reluctance to return to the Denver Nuggets. Regardless of this, the Nuggets appear to be making efforts to retain his spot on the roster. If the participant chooses to go a separate manner, then the Nuggets could try to usher in Warriors star Klay Thompson.

The taking pictures guard has devoted the whole thing of his 13-year NBA profession until now to the Warriors. Sadly, after having rejected a 2-year $48 million extension deal, there’s a good probability that the participant will head to free company. Whereas hypothesis is pushing him extra in direction of becoming a member of the Orlando Magic, the Denver Nuggets will not be far-off from Thompson’s radar.

If there was even a slight fireplace burning with regard to a Thompson-Nuggets partnership, extra gasoline was added to it after the participant was noticed in Denver. Along with this, ‘The Athletic‘ journalists Sam Amick and Anthony Slater recently reported that Thompson is a possible replacement “if the Nuggets lose free-agent-to-be Kentavious Caldwell-Pope”. In the end, it would all depend on the Warriors star’s ask by way of wage.

Having averaged 10.1 factors, 2.4 rebounds, and a couple of.4 assists through the common season, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s stats will not be as spectacular as Thompson’s. Subsequently, going for the latter at an reasonably priced worth is one thing that the Nuggets wouldn’t thoughts contemplating.

Earlier than leaving, make sure you take a look at some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared concerning the Lakers legend’s notorious feud with the late Kobe Bryant.