http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FuturePowerRankings-2-091110
"
10. Denver Nuggets | Future Power Rating: 545
| PLAYERS | MANAGEMENT | MONEY | MARKET | DRAFT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 254 (8th) | 134 (11th) | 85 (23rd) | 51 (16th) | 22 (28th) |
The Nuggets are largely a veteran team, but the future remains fairly rosy because their few young players are so good. Leading the way, of course, is Carmelo Anthony, who looks like an absolute monster this year and at 25 has several productive years ahead of him. Rookie guard Ty Lawson is another keeper, while if J.R. Smith (24) is a potential star if he can keep his head on straight. Meanwhile, Nene (27) provides a solid keeper in the middle, and Denver still has the rights to Linas Kleiza (24).
In these ratings, we had a difference of opinion on the Nuggets' management, with Denver's ability to unearth diamonds in the rough weighing in its favor but its history of assembling combustible chemistry working against it. On available money, however, we saw eye to eye, and that's Denver's biggest issue going forward. Denver could potentially have some cap space in 2011, when Kenyon Martin's onerous deal comes off the books, but the Nuggets will be a tax team next year with their starting five alone and don't have the kind of market that can profitably support such a large payroll.
Fortunately they're owned by Wal-Mart heir Stan Kroenke, but if things take a turn for the worse, the Nuggets could be forced into fire-sale mode, as they were a year ago with the Marcus Camby trade.
As with other highly ranked teams, Denver's one poor score came in the draft. It's difficult to imagine the Nuggets getting a high draft pick at any time in the near future.
"
