The Denver Nuggets have been no stranger to big offseason moves, but they might not all go as planned.
Since the start of the offseason, Denver has been one of the most active teams in the NBA. Acquiring key players through trade, such as Cam Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas, plus adding some key free agents, such as Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., the Nuggets have cemented themselves as one of the top teams in the West.
Last season, the Nuggets took the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games despite their shaky depth, but they were able to address those concerns in hopes of knocking the Thunder off their throne next season. While these summer additions certainly have fans in Denver buzzing, FanSided’s Tyler Watts recently urged fans not to get too optimistic about one of those signings.
Watts wrote that Hardaway, despite his resurgence in Detroit last season, isn’t exactly a reliable player who can be trusted in a playoff setting. Watts also noted that Hardaway had struggled to find a consistent role in Dallas and his untimely blunders could cost the Nuggets if David Adelman chooses to insert him in key moments.
Add in the veteran’s questionable efficiency, and there are plenty of valid concerns about what Hardaway can bring to the table. On the other hand, he is a willing shooter who could thrive playing alongside Nikola Jokic and could be a key contributor if Jamal Murray or Christian Braun miss time throughout the season.
Considering Hardaway is also likely to be on the fringe of the rotation when the postseason comes around, these concerns likely won’t even be a problem when the games matter most.