Jusuf Nurkic: Ready to Start for Denver Nuggets?
Jusuf Nurkic looked impressive in a limited fashion against the Timberwolves, posting his first double-double on the season. Is he ready to join the starting rotation?
Jusuf Nurkic recently returned to the Denver Nuggets’ rotation after offseason knee surgery; however, he remains on minutes restriction early on in his return. Upon Jusuf Nurkic’s return to the lineup, the Denver Nuggets wanted their rising star to play no more than 15 minutes, but on Wednesday, he surpassed that threshold and played over 20 minutes, signifying that he is getting closer to making the jump to the starting rotation.
Next: Denver Nuggets Snap Losing Streak, Beat Wolves 78-74
When Jusuf Nurkic was sidelined due to his rehabilitation process, Denver Nuggets rookie center Nikola Jokic found himself inserted into the starting lineup on a near-nightly basis. Jokic showed signs that he could be a key piece for the Denver Nuggets down the road, but his game is still pretty raw, at a professional level. On Wednesday, Nikola Jokic, perhaps, put together the best game of any Denver Nuggets center, and he did it in under 25 minutes.
In the Denver Nuggets’ road matchup against the Timberwolves, Jusuf Nurkic exploded for 15 points, 10 assists, and five blocks in 22 minutes. Nurkic’s five block tied a career-high, and he managed to do it in just his third game back from rehabbing from offseason surgery. While Nikola Jokic filled in admirably in Jusuf Nurkic’s stead, it is only a matter of time before Mike Malone puts the latter in the starting rotation.
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With the Denver Nuggets getting closer to full-strength, they are capable of making a run in the second half of the NBA season, especially with a strong defensive presence like Jusuf Nurkic back to full health. In three games since his return, Nurkic reported no ill-effects on his surgically repaired knee. With the Denver Nuggets likely increasing Jusuf Nurkic’s workload in the foreseeable future, expect Nikola Jokic to assume a bench role moving forward.
However, with the duo of Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets might find Kenneth Faried‘s services to be expendable. Also, the Denver Nuggets just released Kostas Papanikolaou, leaving room on the roster for a potential trade. If the Denver Nuggets were to reach an agreement moving forward, it likely involves Kenneth Faried or Danilo Gallinari. If the Denver Nuggets were to trade Faried, they might deploy a one-two punch of Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic.
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Jusuf Nurkic ended his rookie campaign on a high note, and he looks to continue his development moving forward this season. At age 21, Nurkic has time on his side to turn into one of the best two-way centers in the NBA. Also, if Nurkic turns into a star for the Denver Nuggets, it makes that Rudy Gobert trade look a little less salty. Both Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic provide high-ceiling options for the Denver Nuggets.
The Denver Nuggets have likely seen Kenneth Faried reach his ceiling, playing in his fifth season in the NBA. Also, Kenneth Faried broke onto the scene in his rookie season with his high-energy; moreover, as an undersized power forward, he faces an uphill battle nearly every night. When Jusuf Nurkic claims the starting center role, the Denver Nuggets should continue their rebuilding process and cut ties with their more veteran players (i.e. Faried and Gallinari).
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If the Denver Nuggets cut ties with Gallinari and Faried, they could have one of the youngest starting rotations in the NBA, with four out of the five positions being manned by someone age 22 or under. The Denver Nuggets experimented with their lineup during the first half of the season, and they looked overmatched most of the time. Sure, Jusuf Nurkic provides better defense and rebounding, but he should not be seen as the void that vaults the Nuggets into contention.
The Denver Nuggets might only be a couple games out of a playoff spot, but if they want to move up in the ranks, they need to continue their rebuilding process. By building around Emmanuel Mudiay, Gary Harris, Nikola Jokic, and Jusuf Nurkic, the future looks bright in the Mile High City, but it depends on the Denver Nuggets’ upper management not being content on capturing a lower seed in the Western Conference.
While this article ran off-base for a moment, with Jusuf Nurkic entering the starting lineup, more questions need to be answered moving forward. Jusuf Nurkic is the clear-cut favorite to enter the starting lineup in the upcoming games, but the departure of Kostas Papanikolaou makes for the Denver Nuggets’ second half of the NBA more questionable. Sure, they could acquire a big-name talent, but that would send the team in the wrong direction. Continue the rebuild. Build around youth.
Next: Denver Nuggets Snap Losing Streak, Beat Wolves 78-74
Expect the Denver Nuggets to loosen the reins on Jusuf Nurkic in the upcoming days, with him finding the starting rotation by the end of the month. The Denver Nuggets’ next game is a road matchup against the Grizzlies on Friday (1/8).