"I forgot that you existed
It isn't love, it isn't hate
It's just indifference"
This chorus rings out on Taylor Swift’s initial track on her recent album Lover. In honor of Taylor Swift’s 18 track album, that released last week, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Exploring the location and career journeys of former Nuggets across the league that we might soon forget about or are dearly missing as the 2019-2020 season approaches.
The first player that needs checking in on is Danilo Gallinari. Gallo graced the Pepsi Center court and rained down clutch shots in high, isolated situations at a time Nuggets fans needed it most back in 2011-2012 after the departure of Carmelo. Two seasons have passed since Danilo last wore a Nuggets jersey but his production on offense hasn’t been missed; however, I believe the depth at wing Gallo would have provided would have proved beneficial in the 2019 playoffs. Just like in real life, money often causes splits in relationships and I don’t believe the Nuggets were in a position to overpay for Gallo. A mutual split separated Danilo from Denver but now the Nuggets will face him a few extra times after the blockbuster Paul George trade. A reunion is highly unlikely, but the NBA is where amazing happens, so maybe a vet minimum to Danilo Gallinari down the road would be beneficial to both parties, but only time will tell.
The second player that needs checking in on is Kenneth Faried. Albeit through trade, Faried’s exit from Denver was definitely mutual but ended in a more sour way than the Gallo exit. The Manimal donned a Nuggets jersey for an exciting 7 years. Faried, since leaving Denver, had a brief and uneventful rebound in Brooklyn. Last year, however, Faried showed flashes of an evolved play style with the Houston Rockets knocking down the occasional three and posting double-double outings. Even though he showed plenty of potential in Houston, Faried remains without a home in the NBA. The Nuggets seem to adore anyone who can play PF, but a reunion with Kenneth seems nearly impossible. Hopefully Faried finds a team that fits him, but it surely won’t be the Nuggets this season or in any seasons to come.
The third player we’ll check in on is Emmanuel Mudiay. Emmanuel’s time with the Nuggets reads like a high school relationship. A relationship full of hope, dreams, and potential, turns out to be one that ends too soon when real life hits. The two parties go their separate ways because one grew up too fast and moved on to bigger things. Emmanuel needed a fresh start and the Nuggets provided this via trade. The Nuggets grew up from their "It’s a new day" phase to an up and coming playoff team while Emmanuel was left growing, developing and dreaming of being a star point guard. Emmanuel’s fresh start in New York helped him get on his feet and grow to be a proven NBA rotation player. Now Emmanuel will rock the rivals' threads in Utah. The Nuggets will face him plenty, but I don’t believe either party misses the old days. The Nuggets have moved on to contending and Mudiay has moved on to (maybe) backing up Mike Conley. A reunion is nowhere in sight but that’s alright.
The final former Nugget we’ll quickly stalk on basketball reference and look back on is..
Donovan Mitchell. Just kidding.
