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11/22/2024 08:51:58 am

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NBA Rumors: Why Denver Nuggets Intrigues Jeremy Lin?

Jeremy Lin

(Photo : Reuters) Sep 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) during media day at the team practice facility in El Segundo. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sport

The Denver Nuggets took a few steps backward in two years under head coach Brian Shaw. Shaw's failure to pick up the momentum built by former head coach George Karl brought the Nuggets to one ultimate conclusion: They need to rebuild.

With a new head coaching staff expected to be named this offseason, the Nuggets front-office made it clear that they are going to revamp their roster. Whether it would be just a minor tweak or an overhaul, the Nuggets desire to have Jusuf Nurkic and Danillo Gallinari as the centerpiece of their future. The rest may be either released or used in a trade to acquire an established player or more assets in forms of draft picks or expiring contracts.

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According to Mark Kiszla of Denver Post, the Nuggets are willing to entertain trde offers involving power forward Kenneth Faried and point guard Ty Lawson. While the two have been major contributors the past three years, moving their massive contracts would be ideal to get things sort out for a rebuilding team like the Nuggets.

As for Lin, the prospect of Lawson going elsewhere would be a good development for him, since the Nuggets are expected to be one of at least seven teams pursuing him this summer. With Lawson out of the picture, the Nuggets starting point guard spot will be up for grabs, and Lin won't certainly forego this opportunity of starting again after losing his job to Patrick Beverley in Houston and Ronnie Price in Los Angeles.  

Lin, who averaged 11.1 points and 4.6 assists in 29 minutes per game last season (per ESPN/Stats), might also end up as a perfect playmaker for the Nuggets, if they eventually hire former Knicks and Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni as their chief bench tactician ( Sporting News). After all, the Nuggets were first mentioned as potential landing spot for the 26-year old because of the fact that they could hire D'Antoni, the man who gave Lin the chance to earn his place in the NBA.

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