When Jusuf Nurkic has surgery on his patella tendon back in May, the hope was he would be healthy and back right around the start of training camp. Not going to happen, at least not yet, according to the Nuggets GM, as reported by Christopher Dempsey at the Denver Post.
Denver is right to take their time and think about the long term, because Nurkic could be part of the part of the long term in Denver, along with Emanuel Mudiay.
Nurkic is the projected starting center for the Nuggets, and they could use him on the court. He took over the starting role in Denver last season after the Timofey Mozgov trade and he showed a lot of promise. While he averaged just 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, his per-minute numbers showed potential.
More importantly, he brought solid defense and the Nuggets were 10.6 points per 100 possessions better when he was on the floor.
He should improve this season and beyond, which is why the Nuggets should think long term. In the short-term, if Nurkic can’t go, look for new Nuggets coach Mike Malone to go small (he’s already said he wants this team to play faster). He can start J.J. Hickson at the five and Kenneth Faried at the four, and hope that can provide enough defense to get some wins.
At least until Nurkic gets back, which shouldn’t be many if any games.
