(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Denver Nuggets were surprisingly sent home in the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs after they lost Game 7 on their home floor against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Nuggets somehow found a way to lose three of their four home games against the Timberwolves and now go into the offseason with some important decisions to make.
Denver is still poised to be a contender during the 2024-25 NBA season, but the postseason revealed their lack of bench depth behind their starters.
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray can cover most holes on the roster, but head coach Mike Malone was strapped for options when it came time for them to sit during games.
Because of their status in the league, the Nuggets should have several veterans looking to ring chase to pick from in free agency.
One name to reportedly watch out for is Gordon Hayward, who spent parts of the 2023-24 NBA campaign with the Charlotte Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder, via Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports.
“There are people within the Nuggets who are fans of Gordon Hayward,” Wind reported (via NBACentral).
There are people within the Nuggets who are fans of Gordon Hayward, per @HarrisonWind pic.twitter.com/13ZQWOgaOl
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 2, 2024
Hayward has a lengthy injury history that could give teams pause, though when he’s healthy can be a serviceable piece off the bench for a team.
The former All-Star saw little run while with the Thunder, but would presumably see a bigger role off the Nuggets’ bench if he chose to go there.
There should be several teams lining up to try and sign Hayward and it’ll be interesting to see if Denver ends up pursuing him.
The post Gordon Hayward Is Being Linked To West Contender This Offseason appeared first on The Cold Wire.