(Boulder-CO) The longer this off-season draws on the more obvious it becomes that the Nuggets are going downhill. Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today that the Nuggets have indeed traded PG Taurean Green, Forward Bobby Jones and a 2010 second round draft pick to the New York Knicks for Renaldo Balkman and cash considerations.
In this morning offerings I clearly indicated that Renaldo Balkman can not help this team with the current roster being log jammed with far more talented players at small forward. Why brass would do this trade is beyond my ability to understand.
In this morning offerings I clearly indicated that Renaldo Balkman can not help this team with the current roster being log jammed with far more talented players at small forward. Why brass would do this trade is beyond my ability to understand.
Somebody console me.
4 comments:
Sweet baby Jesus help us. The season is months away and we're already suffering. I can't think of the words to describe how ridiculous this is getting.
Balkman can play minutes at the 4 if we need him to, he's a better defender than Diawara, and he is a hustle machine. We could do worse for two guys that we were not going to play... the pick makes it a little steep, but I'm okay with it.
Renaldo locked down Melo pretty badly any time they played against eachother -- so sticking him on some of the bigger/slower wing players would be a nice sub to have around. Also, he's a filthy dunker, so at least we'll have some more 'fun to watch' factor added. I dunno, I agree that this is sort of confusing given that we have a lot of players at the 3 spot behind Melo -- but much as Kleiza ends up playing the 2 most of the time, Balkman would play the 4 most of the time. He'll do those Najera things (rebounds, steals) and we can use him in those rare Yakhouba situations when we need to harass the bejesus out of someone.
Speaking of Yakhouba -- he must really be in the doghouse... he's not gonna play at all with J.R., Dahntay Jones, Kleiza, Balkman all ahead of him in the rotation... All I can hope for this off-season is that we re-sign J.R. -- failing that, we sign him to a long-term deal in training camp after he takes the qualifying offer for this season. If that happens, I'll write off the rest of the questionable moves the front office has made...
Here's my take on this Nick.
I am not a huge fan over this deal either, but honestly, I really don't think it hurts us in any way. Bobby Jones and Taurean Green absolutely sucked...in SUMMER LEAGUE!!! If you cannot even bring it against D-Leaguers and non drafted rookies, then you probably don't belong in the league. Their contracts were non guaranteed and I can almost bet you that they were not going to pick up the option and keep these guys around.
So our Front Office probably felt they could rid themselves of two guys they are going to cut for a guy that can contribute more than Green or B. Jones was going too. Yes, Balkman has zero offensive game, but he does hustle, can rebound and defend, and is a spark plug.
Is he going to get minutes? Not many, but he helps fill out the roster and in my mind is an upgrade over T. Green and B. Jones and is still cheap.
So I really don't have much to say about this deal...other than that I don't hate it, but I don't love it either. I am still waiting for Denver to make some sort of significant move, but I am not sure it will happen before training camp.
NuggDoctor
Your comments are incorrect and yes, you are overreacting.. This was a great move for the Nugs,.. they pick up a defensive minded player you can and will actually play contrary to the likes of diawara... giving up two players who would have seen less minutes than steven hunter for a solid role player and cash is a good move.
Balkman will have much more of a presence than najera..believe me..(and lets not act like najera could shoot the 3)
Be excited about the move
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