The Denver Nuggets have yet to hit paydirt but if all goes well with the key changes and new additions to the team, all that could start this 2015–16 NBA season.
Gone is problematic point guard Ty Lawson who has since been traded to the Houston Rockets. Lawson has had his driving under the influence (DUI) issues and is currently in rehab. On how that turns out will no longer be a problem for the Nuggets since that will now be under the Rockets' regime.
In Lawson's place is a highly regarded guard who was tipped to be one of the best guards available from the 2015 NBA Draft — Emmanuel Mudiay.
Mudiay is expected to take over from Lawson, big shoes to fill which could be ably supported by the guidance of a new head coach in Michael Malone.
Everyone knows, of course, Malone from the Sacramento Kings before he was fired earlier this year and his hiring comes with a lot of pressure as well.
Malone has been known to masterfully hold good ties with his players despite the fact that he is a disciplinarian and a no non-sense coach. And that alone should be a good start as the Nuggets try to whip up Mudiay and the rest of the team into possible contenders despite a lean lineup.
Aside from Mudiay, it remains to be seen how Malone can whip up the likes of Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried, and Wilson Chandler. Then there is Jameer Nelson who was brought in to probably mentor Mudiay.
In all, there are hardly any stars to mention on the Denver fold and that alone discounts them from being possible contenders for this year. The Nuggets may be in for a feeling out year and hopefully with Malone at the helm, such could translate into something positive for the coming seasons.
Of course, it would be wise to see what the Nuggets can do first before writing them off. Anything is possible and the Nuggets don't have that bad of a lineup to pull off some surprises for the season which will kick off this coming October.
