ESPN.com's Kevin Arnovitz has an in-depth, well-reported look at what's gone wrong with the Denver Nugets. At 2-7, they've been one of the worst teams in the NBA. With a roster devoid of stars and young talent, there doesn't appear to be much hope for the future.
Kenneth Faried ‘not well liked’ within Nuggets organization, according to report
The Nuggets reportedly signed the forward to an offseason extension for public relations reasons and aren’t really enamored with him as a player.
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The most notable revelation in the well-reported feature centers on Kenneth Faried, who signed a four-year, $50 million extension in the offseason. That was a deal the Nuggets wouldn't have offered in a perfect world, according to Arnovitz.
Several sources around the league insist the Nuggets’ hand was forced with regard to Faried. After the signing of Hickson to a three-year, approximately $16 million contract soon after Connelly’s arrival, the sense was the bouncy big man was insurance against Faried’s departure in free agency in 2014. Faried was a fan favorite in Denver, but multiple sources with knowledge of the Nuggets’ thinking maintain the team “isn’t crazy about him,” particularly Shaw. But with Faried’s boffo showing last summer with Team USA and a loyal following in Denver, the media-conscious Nuggets caved, adding yet another imperfect 4-man to their lot.
“[Faried] is a helluva player and plays hard, but he isn’t well liked [in the organization],” a league source said. “That gets glossed over. He says crazy s---. He thinks he’s the guy, and other guys take exception to his contract.”
Since signing the extension, Faried is averaging 12 points and 7.9 rebounds in 27 minutes per game. Per NBA.com, the Nuggets have been 15 points per 100 possessions worse when Faried has been on the court.
Pinning all of Denver’s struggles on Faried would be unfair; as Arnovitz’s piece points out, the front office is far from a high-functioning one. The problems all seem to be traced to the departure of former general manager Masai Ujiri and the firing of coach George Karl in May. Many believe the man tabbed by Josh Kroenke to replace Ujiri, Tim Connelly, is in over his head, according to Arnovitz.
“I’m not sure Tim can do the job,” a league power broker, who has known Connelly for years, said. “He’s the nicest guy you’ll meet, but he’s out of his depths, and you saw it with the [Kenneth] Faried mess.”
“The Faried mess” refers to how the Nuggets initially leaked the deal as a five-year, $60 million extension, which isn’t allowed under the CBA. The Nuggets and Faried needed to scramble to alter the terms of the agreement.
The Nuggets currently say they have no plans to hold a fire sale and begin tanking, but they soon may not have a choice.
★★★
See More:
