The Denver Nuggets are on a mission to reclaim their top spot in the NBA after getting knocked out of the 2024 NBA playoffs during a second-round encounter against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
To that end, the Nuggets made some moves during the offseason, including one that doesn’t really look much on paper.
Dario Saric can be an X-factor for the Denver Nuggets
Last July, Denver inked veteran forward Dario Saric to a two-year deal worth $10.59 million. While Nuggets head coach Michael Malone doesn’t seem to have a concrete plan on how to utilize Saric yet, he believes there are plenty of possibilities of how the Nuggets can maximize the versatility of the 30-year-old Croatian.
Via Bennett Durando of The Denver Post:
How does Saric fit in the five-on-five puzzle for Denver? That’s where the enthusiasm from teammates is coming from. Malone should be able to have fun experimenting with different lineup configurations, using Saric at multiple positions to emphasize different aspects of his game.
“I think backup five, backup four, can play with Nikola at times, no doubt,” Malone said. “If we go big, play him with a guy like DeAndre Jordan. … What you love about Dario is he’s been a three-man, he’s been a four, and later in his NBA career he’s been a backup five, a small-ball five. Very skilled. Can handle it. Can pass. Can shoot. Bigger than people realize. Strong, physical. I’m excited to explore all the options that Dario will afford us.”
Saric’s size and range can help the Nuggets’ offense which finished fourth in the league last season in terms of adjusted offensive rating. Saric, who played for the Golden State Warriors in the 2023-24 NBA campaign, is a career 36.2 percent shooting from behind the arc.
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