I don't think we really even have a lot of sets tailored to ET and Nurk. For years it has been high PnR with our guards, back to when we were running the PnR/P with LA to get him his mid range looks. Since ET doesn't shoot from outside you would want to run plays from his strength in order to maximize their effectiveness. I think something like an ET back down outside the left block with a high 4/5 screen at the FT line could work. ET would have the reads of Nurk rolling to the rim, Noah having a look at the FT line, or working the ISO.
Truth be told, I don't get why Denver added Memphis pick to that deal. This isn't really a bad pick either, it will be circa 20 which is fine for a deep draft and could get us a decent cheap player. We would have probably swapped Plumlee for Nurkic straight up and it would have still been a good deal.
They really wanted Plumlee and word is we were able to play hardball because we had an alternative trade lined up for Jahlil Okafor.
Let me explain it to you: Nurk was a talented, but chemistry-killing, lazy backup with an injury history. Plumlee was a starter and former Olympian on a team that went to the 2nd round of the playoffs who himself had a 19+ PER. In addition, Okafor (the 3rd pick in the 2015 draft) was sitting out a game in Philadelphia because they were about to trade him to the Blazers for Plumlee. Neil told Denver that they'd have to kick in a 1st rounder or they'd go with Okafor. Denver's team is very young, and they don't need another young player, so they bit. The trade was not unreasonably at all, and those who claim otherwise are living in revisionist history. Neil himself didn't think Nurk was going to be an immediate hit, likely valuing the draft pick and the smaller contract as much as the player.
There are a few things I can think of, but it's still kind of ridiculous from the Nuggets side no matter how you cut it... Maybe they felt like they have spent too long developing talent and already have enough young players that adding 2 more would be too much of a time commitment at this point. Maybe their FO doesn't actually think this is that deep of a draft, or that all of the NBA caliber players in this draft who fill positional needs for them will be gone by the ~20th pick I can tell you one thing for sure though. If we draft a baller with that Memphis pick, and have any type of legitimate success (I'd consider a conference championship something which would qualify) then the Nuggets FO will never be able to live down this trade. It would be historically bad league wide, potentially the worst trade ever made in NBA history.
Turner was playing his best basketball when he was starting. He got injured and he hasn't even got back into form.
I think Neil was waiting for the first round pick because he knew the Portland media/fans would have burnt him at the stake if we had just gotten Nurk for Mason. That pick was to keep us at Bay lol
I really like Plumlee. He brought it every single night he played for us. Sure, not the most talented player but he knew what his strengths and weaknesses and tailored his game to fit them. I was sad to see him go because of anyone on the Blazers who deserved to be rewarded with a bigger contract it was him. Nurkic is a huge upgrade and I'm so happy to have him but I hope Plums finds a good home and a fanbase who appreciates what he brings.
