Nuggets legend Dan Issel criticizes owner Stan Kroenke as a 'frugal billionaire' and doubts significant offseason moves for the team. Issel believes the current financial commitments limit the Nuggets' ability to improve.
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Nuggets legend slams 'frugal billionaire' owner Stan Kroenke, doesn't expect offseason moves originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Denver Nuggets' were bounced in the first round of the NBA Playoff for just the second time in the last five years. After going through many changes, including the firing of head coach Michael Malone, many are speculating on what comes next in the Mile High City?
An offseason full of reflection and possible moves coming from Nuggets management could be on the horizon. However, one Nuggets legend says don't count on it due to who's in charge. Dan Issel believes there's too much money on the book for the Nuggets to make any real progress.
"I don't think there's a whole lot they can do," Issel told the Run it Back podcast. "They're not going to trade joker. Jamal (Murray) had a rough series against Minnesota, but he was an All-Star this year. Cam Johnson is a nice piece. I don't know what you would get in return for him. And you know, of course, Christian Braun has $100 million left on his contract. So I don't know if you can make a lot of moves... I don't think.
"Stan Kroenke is the most frugal billionaire since Warren Buffett. So I don't think he's gonna fire. A coach that has a lot of time left on his contract."
Dan Issel criticizes Stan Kroenke for being a 'frugal billionaire,' suggesting that his financial approach limits the team's ability to make significant offseason moves.
The Denver Nuggets face financial challenges due to substantial contracts, including $100 million remaining on Christian Braun's deal, which restricts their ability to make impactful changes.
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Since firing Malone and inserting David Adelman, the Nuggets have gone through waves of consistency. They've looked great in the regular season before failing to advance deep into the playoffs.
There's room to make moves, but as Issel alluded to, there would have to be a good enough trade, which isn't packaging up Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray. As it stands right now without restructuring, Jokic is set to enter the final year of his base contract with a player option in 2027-28 of $62.8 million.
Denver has the 11th-highest payroll in the NBA at $191.6 million, which goes up trying to keep key role players Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown next season.