Denver isn't as bad as 36-46 sounds; they are a deep team, with many solid players, but few stand outs. Danilo Gallinari missed the entire 2013-14 season due to complications with his recovery from a torn ACL, and center JaVale McGee only played five games before a season-ending stress fracture in his left leg took him down. When those two big pieces return next year, the Nuggets will be vastly improved.
With those two returning next season the Nuggets should at least compete for a playoff spot in 2014-15. However, with only point guard Ty Lawson signed past the 2015-16 season, Denver will have many critical roster decisions to make this summer to build for a few years ahead, and to become a serious contender in the short term.
The first such major choice is what to do with Kenneth Faried, who becomes eligible for a contract extension this summer. If Denver and Faried cannot agree upon terms by Halloween, Faried will become a restricted free agent following the 2014-15 season. Faried established himself as the team's power forward this season, so the Nuggets should want to get him keep him around.
Although Wilson Chandler averaged 13.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 35 percent from three-point range last year, the Nuggets can get what they need from other sources on the team. He's a great fill-in at small forward for teams that need one, but some think he would be better used as trade bait than kept on the roster.
Since the Nuggets have a the 11th pick in the draft this year, they might use that and Chandler to take a run at Boston's Rajon Rondo who becomes a free agent in 2015. Rondo, one of the leagues premier point guards, would give the team spark, and he would bolster the guard position for sure. The Celtics are regrouping after their championship years, and may be interested in getting something for Rondo before he heads into free agency.
