While these losses against BOS and SA have been a bit disappointing, it does show we are able to compete against the top teams in the NBA. Both losses went down to the end, typically we would have been blown out in years gone by. This core has shown improvement since last year and I can see it continuing through to the playoffs, which I do see us making this year.

Here are some things I'd like to see happen, not saying they will but what I can envision, feel free to join in and make your own suggestions.

First, here are 3 assumptions to predicate my plan

1) I think Will Barton get traded. There is going to be some playoff team that can utilize Barton's firepower for their playoff run. I don't see Denver having the cap space to sign him with the impending extension for Nikola Jokic so we need to get something for him. Looking for a late 2018 or future 1st for him. It will also open up a 2019 roster spot while furthering the development of Malik Beasley. I can see them trying to trade Faried/Arthur but would need to add a 2019 1st to do that in my play. Doubt it happens over the off-season but at worst we'll get both salaries to come off and open cap space in 2019

2) I foresee that Wilson Chandler opts out of his contract. Chandler seems to be very disinterested in playing here in Denver and he and his agent seek a new city to play for. All I can say is YEAH !! I've always like IllWill up to the point where he started to whine last year about his playing time/position. I truly though with Gallo leaving he'd regain his passion but just the opposite appears to happen, he seems apathetic and disengaged all year, I rally pray this happens. Not only do we rid ourselves of a malcontent, we open another roster spot while get $13M towards the cap to apply to Jokic's extension.

3) I feel we make it to the playoffs in the 7th or 8th seed but will fall in the 1st round. I do think we will be competitive, winning at least 1 game, perhaps 2 depending on the chemistry and momentum we build over the last 20-24 games. We are building, just not ready yet.

Given that, here; the roster we start the off-season with:

C Jokic, Plumlee

PF Millsap, Lyles Hernangomez,, Faried, Arthur

SF Craig, Hernangomez,, Lydon, Bridges

PG Murray, Mudiay, Morris

SG Harris, Beasley

We end up with the 16th, 47th and 60th picks of the 2018 draft. Looking at the roster it's easy to see that SF is really the position to look at with the 16th pick as Juancho is not a natural SF and our core is weak and undefined at that position. While I really would like to get Kevin Knox, I see Mikal Bridges as more likely. I do think Knox has more offensive potential, Bridges is not a bad offensive player but looks to be a better defender as well. With the 47th and 60th it's easy to see a few more draft-n-stashes, I'd really like to see SF/SG Chandler Hutchison, a player in the Barton role or Arnoldas Kulboka, a 6-9 sharp-shooting SF. At 60 the best C available.