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Should the Nuggets Take a Look at Converting Two-Way Standout?
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- Should the Nuggets Take a Look at Converting Two-Way Standout?
The Denver Nuggets had an impressive roster this past season. A roster that, despite a multitude of injuries, carried them to a third-seed finish in the Western Conference.
Obviously, there are the big stars like Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray that carried a major weight in terms of the team's overall performance, but they're also many little pieces that contributed, even players who scarcely appeared on the court
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But now with the bulk of the offseason already dealt with, the Nuggets need to look at their roster as it and make some hard decision decisions on which players to go after and which players from their past roster to try and retain.
San Antonio Spurs guard DeAaron Fox (4) loses control of the ball while defended by Denver Nuggets forward David Roddy (45) and guard Curtis Jones (1) during the second half at Frost Bank Center. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
What To Do With David Roddy ?
One of the big question Marks in that regard is David Roddy, a power forward who played on a two-way contract for the Nuggets this past season and appeared in just five games at the NBA level, yet impressed in that time.
He averaged eight points, four rebounds and 0.8 steals per game in 14.6 minutes per game in his limited time with the Nuggets, but that time clearly left an impression on Denver.
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Roddy could be a valuable addition to the Nuggets roster for next season. The only issue is that he doesn't really address a positional need that the Nuggets have at this point.
That's something that Harrison Wind pointed out in a recent episode of the DNVR Nuggets podcast.
"The Nuggets like David Roddy a lot," Wind said. " But if you look at the roster right now, I don't see how you bring Him back. This team is all big and no guards."
Denver Nuggets forward David Roddy (45) reacts after a score against the Oklahoma City Thunder during fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Wind does have a point. Looking at the Nuggets roster they are flooded with power forwards and centers, but don't have much in the way of true guards beyond Christian Braun and Jamal Murray, and they don't have many wings either.
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With Peyton Watson still a free agent, the Nuggets have been looking out for their next great swingman, but if they don't sign Watson, they could be left with a big hole in their roster.
Denver Nuggets forward David Roddy (45) shoots the ball in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Making A Position Change
Roddy could address that hole, but he would have to make a position change to do it.
While he is classified as a power forward and thrives as a physical presence on the court, he is just 6'5 and at that size it's reasonable to think that he could make the switch to a swingman or wing role for the Nuggets, especially considering that he shot 50% from the field.
He does have an issue when it comes to three point shooting, only shooting 27.3% from three point range, and that is an issue for a wing in the modern NBA.
Denver Nuggets forward David Roddy (45) shoots the ball during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center. Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
But if the Nuggets were able to convert Roddy into a midrange player, they might be able to address the void in the roster while retaining a player that they're high on.
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It isn't a perfect fit by any means, but if Roddy is willing to make the change, and the Nuggets are willing to coach him into that change, they could craft an effective wing who could bridge the gap between their existing big men and their limited guard core.
