As the Denver Nuggets stare down another offseason of potential roster shake-up following a seven-game struggle and exit at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the chatter isn't about sweeping changes at the top. No, the Nuggets are looking more at fine-tuning around their centerpiece, Nikola Jokic, especially with an eye on boosting that three-point shooting percentage.
One intriguing name that's been floated around is Dalton Knecht from the Los Angeles Lakers. At 24, Knecht brings a tantalizing catch-and-shoot ability that could be the perfect complement to Jokic's playmaking wizardry.
Last season, Knecht showed flashes of sharpshooting capability, posting a rookie campaign with the kind of numbers that, while not eye-popping at first glance—9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game—are more impressive when dissected. His season dip in December, where his three-point percentage tumbled to 15.6%, was balanced by a spring resurgence, highlighted by a red-hot finish of 42.0% in March and 45.5% in April from deep.
Yet, even as Knecht found his stride late, Los Angeles chose not to factor him into their playoff rotations—a decision underscored when they briefly included him in a trade package for Mark Williams, a trade that was later rescinded. This sidelining suggests there's a willingness to move on from Knecht, a scenario that Denver could potentially exploit.
The Nuggets' playoff series against the Thunder underscored their dire need for outside shooting, as they shot just 31.4% from beyond the arc. Aaron Gordon stood out, hitting 44.1% from three, but too often the team’s inability to capitalize on Jokic's outlets let the Thunder zero in on their star without consequence. Inserting a shooter like Knecht could help open up the floor and prevent defenses from sagging off the supporting cast.
However, acquiring Knecht is not solely up to the Nuggets' interest. The Lakers, in search of a center, might opt to keep negotiations purely transactional with their chosen partner. The possibility of Denver benefiting from a trade circle might hinge on whether the Lakers see strategic value in cooperating with a formidable rival within the conference.
Should the Lakers deny this opening, the Nuggets have other irons in the fire. Royce O’Neal from the Phoenix Suns and Keon Ellis of the Sacramento Kings present alternative options.
O’Neal brings a reliable 40.6% from three, along with defensive capabilities, averaging 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and a blend of assists, blocks, and steals that could plug multiple gaps for Denver. Ellis is similarly impressive from beyond the arc, drilling 43.3% of his attempts, while contributing defensively—attributes that can help stabilize an area where the Nuggets struggled throughout their season.
Despite the talk of personnel changes, the Nuggets are reportedly proceeding with caution, keen on preserving their championship-winning core. Jokic remains the immovable anchor of the team, with franchise stalwarts such as Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Christian Braun also deemed untouchable.
The goal is not about tearing the house down, but rather, adding just the right pieces to elevate the team past their recent playoff ceilings. Only time will tell how this offseason plays out, but what’s clear is that the stakes for the Nuggets are higher than ever.
