Barring any unforseen trades, the Nuggets one position of need for next year is point guard (although a center who can make a layup would be nice also). This year's free agent class has plenty of point guards who can be had for the mid-level exception or less. The question is which one would be best for the Nuggets (assuming they keep Chucky Atkins and kick Anthony Carter to the curb). Here is the list of possible future Nuggets backup (or starting) point guards with analysis:
Shaun Livingston
Upside: Livingston was once the fourth overall pick in the NBA draft. He is also six-foot seven, which would be huge for the Nuggets' undersized backcourt. In 2005-2006, his assist percentage was equivalent to what Chris Paul did this year. He has a great handle, court vision, he plays a little defense and is still only 22 years old.
Downside: His knee is broken in about 237 places and was just cleared to play one-on-one drills. He has shown no indication of an ability to shoot the ball. He weighs about 180 pounds.
Overall: He has a good chance of being a league-average point guard when he recovers from injury. Needless to say, this is a significant upgrade from Anthony Carter.
Carlos Arroyo
Upside: He was good a couple of years ago (of course that was when Jerry Sloan coached him). For the most part, he hits his free throws.
Downside: his numbers have trended down the past couple of years. Doesn't get too many assists, yet calls himself a point guard. Doesn't shoot the rock very well from long range. Has a tendency to turn the ball over.
Overall: He would be a good fit for the Nuggets if you put a Puerto Rico jersey on him and tell him it is 2004.
Chris Duhon
Upside: He plays pretty good defense. He isn't a terrible three point shooter. His assist percentage is pretty good.
Downside: His midrange jumpshot makes Anthony Carter look like Richard Hamilton. He is undersized if you want to pair him with Allen Iverson. He REALLY likes to hit the clubs (to the point where he misses team meetings). He wasn't very good to begin with and is possibly getting worse.
Overall: With a couple more years of experience he has a chance to be the next Eric Snow. Perfect for the Knicks.
Jason Williams
Upside: As far as we know, he has never killed anyone. If the Nuggets signed him they would obliterate the team record for tattoos they set last year. He can occasionally hit a three pointer.
Downside: His best season was his rookie year and his worst year was last year. In a related story, he turns 33 this year. He shoots the ball terribly from the field and doesn't do a great job of helping others score. Putting it nicely, he takes ill-advised shots. He gets hurt opening the mail.
Overall: Thanks, but no thanks.
Jannero Pargo
Upside: People think he is good, so the Nuggets may get good publicity for signing him. Not bad at shooting from distance or shooting free throws.
Downside: He is a terrible shooter from inside the arc. He never passes the ball and uses a high percentage of possessions in a very inefficient manner. He is too small to play any semblance of defense. He couldn't get a rebound if it hit him in both hands.
Overall: He is a shooting guard trapped in a small point guard's body. That is the last thing the Nuggets need.
Sam Cassell/Damon Stoudemire
These guys are still alive?
Sebastian Telfair
Upside: He is still only 23 years old. He no longer keeps his gun in a pillowcase.
Downside: His coach somehow allowed him to take 114 threes last year. He has never had a season where he approached being a league-average point guard. He is a scoring point guard who can neither finish at the rim nor shoot the ball particularly well. He is an unwilling passer most of the time. He is one of the worst defensive point guards in the league. Minnesota sucks and they didn't even give him a qualifying offer.
Overall: He fixes exactly none of the Nuggets' problems.
Keyon Dooling
Upside: He plays really good defense. He is getting better at shooting from long range.
Downside: Doesn't really distribulte the ball.
Overall: Could be a good backup point guard option if the Nuggets think his 3 point shooting will continue to improve.
Jose Calderon
Upside: Everything
Downside: Nothing, maybe defense.
Overall: He is the perfect point guard for the Nuggets -- high assist rate, doesn't need the ball to be effective, and shoots tremendously. Too bad Toronto already signed him.
Louis Williams
Upside: He has taken a big step in getting better every year. He is a pretty good defender. He is only 21 years old. Changed from an unwilling passer to a willing one in the span of one year (although he resgressed a little last year). He is fast as hell with the ball and stopped turning it over last year.
Downside: He may not be a true point guard.
Overall: If the Nuggets can get him for the mid-level, they will be set at the PG position for the next five years. Too bad the Sixers will probably do everything possible to keep him.
Mario Chalmers
Upside: He has huge balls (see: taking championship-deciding three with hands in his face). He can shoot, defend and is pretty quick with the ball. He kept taking the ball from Derrick Rose in the championship game. When CDR was going off in the NCAA Final, the Jayhawks played a box and one with Chalmers defending CDR despite a four inch height differential. He was tested and succeeded at the highest levels of NCAA basketball.
Downside: He is not a free agent, but the Nuggets traded away the chance to draft him. He may be a shooting guard trapped in a point guard's body.
Overall: We better hope that Jordan runs the Bobcats into the ground the same way he did with the Wizards, or the Nuggets will regret not taking Chalmers.
FINAL DECISION
Try and do everything to get Louis Williams. If not, take a time machine back a couple of weeks and draft Mario Chalmers. Either way, really.
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