Nuggets secretly negotiate with former star – Unexpected blockbuster is about to explode!
The Denver Nuggets have had one of the best offseasons in the NBA. After back-to-back second-round postseason exits, it became clear that the Nuggets needed to make changes in order to get back on top. The team has done well so far, but they’d be smart to bring back Monte Morris as the final piece to the puzzle.
The Nuggets already made a blockbuster trade that sent Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets. Cam Johnson comes to Denver in the deal. He will bring the 3-point shooting that Porter provided, but he adds more defense, playmaking, and basketball IQ. Additionally, the Nuggets traded Dario Saric for Jonas Valanciunas. After originally considering a move to Europe, Valanciunas has settled into his role as the best Nikola Jokic backup in years.
The team also made some splashy moves in free agency. The Nuggets signed Tim Hardaway Jr., a player who started 77 games for a Detroit Pistons team that made the playoffs last year. Furthermore, Denver brought Bruce Brown back after he spent the two years since the Nuggets won the championship elsewhere. There is one open roster spot left, and the Nuggets should reunite with another player: Monte Morris.
The Nuggets should bring back Monte Morris
The Nuggets’ biggest weakness on their roster, as it stands, is the backup point guard position. Russell Westbrook had a resurgence of a season playing that role for Denver last year, but a return to the Nuggets now seems unlikely. Westbrook seems destined to join the Sacramento Kings, and he doesn’t seem like a great fit alongside some of Denver’s newest additions.
Brown played some point guard during his last stint in Denver, but he is best suited for the wing. Brown does a lot of the little things without the ball in his hand, which is why he worked so well with the team during the Nuggets’ title run. That leaves Jalen Pickett as the only true point guard under contract who can back up Jamal Murray.
Pickett had his moments last season, but the Nuggets shouldn’t go into 2025-26 relying on him to play extended minutes. Backup point guard is particularly important in Denver because Murray tends to miss time every season. Murray only played 48 games in 2020-21 because of his ACL injury, and he missed all of the succeeding season. His game totals have been 65, 59, and 67 games played in the three seasons since.
Murray is the ultimate playoff riser, but the team shouldn’t overexert him in the regular season because of his injury history. During Morris’ time with the Nuggets, he was arguably the best backup point guard in the league, backing up none other than Murray himself.
Morris played five seasons with the Nuggets to start his career. He thrice scored double-digit scoring averages with the team, his 3-point shot allowed him to play with the starters from time to time, and his steady presence was perfect for leading the reserve unit.
Morris regularly finished in the top three in assist-to-turnover ratio during his Nuggets tenure. After some down seasons since, Morris could likely get back on track in a familiar home. Plus, Nuggets fans would love to bring back a staple of the team before they were champions. Maybe Denver could even win another ring with Morris on the roster.