Cubs Minor League Wrap: Trice HR gives Smokies a 1-0 win
Cubs Minor League Wrap: Trice's HR Leads Smokies to 1-0 Win
The Denver Nuggets face challenges in improving their roster despite having star players Nikola JokiÄ and Jamal Murray. Their recent playoff exit raises questions about their future strategies.

Despite having one of the world's best players in Nikola JokiÄ and benefiting from the best season of Jamal Murrayās career, the third-seeded Denver Nuggets saw their season end prematurely at the hands of the injury-ravaged Minnesota Timberwolves.
This, at a bare minimum, raises questions.
JokiÄ, needlessĀ to say, is a keeper. He's not going anywhere, nor does he wish to.
Murray, presumably, should also be safe given his season and his chemistry with JokiÄ, which is significant.
But after that ⦠oh boy.
Christian Braun's $125 million extension looks like a problem, unless he bounces back after a rough season.
Peyton Watson is up for a new deal, but we've yet to see how influential he could be in a playoff context.
Aaron Gordon is a tremendous fit, but his contract is increasing and he's getting older.
Sweeping changes likely aren't needed, but the Nuggets shouldn't close the door on considering them.
The Denver Nuggets have limited options for roster improvement despite having key players like Nikola JokiÄ and Jamal Murray.
The Denver Nuggets' season ended prematurely after losing to the injury-ravaged Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs.
Yes, Nikola JokiÄ is expected to remain with the Denver Nuggets as he has expressed no desire to leave the team.
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Denver Nuggets center Nikola JokiÄ didn't have a great time in Game 6 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Record: 54-28, third in the Western Conference. Eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games.
The play of Jamal Murray, who made his first All-Star team. The championship-winning guard averaged 25.4 points and 7.1 assists in his career-best the season.
If the Nuggets receive this type of annual production, that's likely a good sign moving forward.
Nikola JokiÄ
Jamal Murray
Aaron Gordon
Christian Braun
Peyton Watson (RFA)
Spencer Jones (RFA)
Bruce Brown (UFA)
$201,396,723
Nos. 26 & 49
Draft focus: If the Nuggets want to save money by dumping some of their younger players, it's crucial they refill the cupboard. They could use more guard play and another big man in case Jonas ValanÄiÅ«nas doesnāt stick around.
Virtually none. The Nuggets are extremely expensive and will likely find themselves far above the second apron. If anything, expect them to make some level of financially driven trades.
Whatever happened this season just can't happen again, whether you want to blame chemistry issues or roster inadequacy. The Nuggets are in dire need of simply figuring things out and adding depth to get back to competing for another title. They're too good to let the best years of JokiÄās career slip away, but the big man is often carrying too big of a load.