[Izulde]

Constructing a Champion: How GM Jestor Did It

The recent championship parade for the World Champion Denver Nuggets exceeded even the paegentry and excitement of the Denver Broncos' NFL title celebrations. And with good reason. Not only is Mateen Yeaton the Mile High City's basketball answer to John Elway, but GM Jestor has acquired the celebrity and popularity that few front office men attain. Then there's Emeka Okafor, the greying veteran and team captain who finally won a championship in the last year of his contract and Jim O'Brien, the midseason head coach hire who won his first ring and showed he's still worthy of consideration as one of the NBA's best.

But all of these elements would not be possible if it weren't for Jestor himself, who arrived in 2010, two years removed from the Nuggets' 1st NBA title. He started the franchise's transformation with bang, dealing Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks and raising fears in Denver that he would blow up the team as he did in New York as the Raffle GM.

And indeed, Jestor did wholly make over the team. Twice, in fact, in the years that followed. His methods were unorthodox, but the results can not be argued with, for the Denver Nuggets have won 9 straight Northwest division titles and appeared in four straight NBA Finals, all during Jestor's tenure. That kind of divisional success begins to approach the level of baseball's Atlanta Braves, who won 14 consecutive division titles from 1991-2005.

And yet, despite all those triumphs, the Nuggets, like the Braves, struggled to win that elusive ring. Every time they got to the Finals - 5 times in those 9 years, the Toronto Raptors awaited them. 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, all went to the Raptors. And then finally, this year, in 2018, as we all know, Jestor and his team finally slew the Great Northern Dynasty and banished the past nightmares.

How did Jestor finally do it? Most want to say it started in the 2013 offseason with the biggest trade in history, but it actually began early in the 2012 season with this trade:

Denver Nuggets receive
PF Emeka Okafor

Charlotte Bobcats receive
SF Caron Butler
2013 Washington Wizards 2nd round pick
2014 Washington Wizards 2nd round pick

What this means for the Nuggets
Okafor has been on GM Jestor's radar for quite some time and was almost traded to the Nuggets last year when they landed Mehmet Okur instead. Emeka is a huge defensive and rebounding presence that will probably start at PF and see Okur shift to SF. He'll be a critical piece as Denver tries to counter the frontcourt strength of teams like the Lakers and Rockets.

What this means for the Bobcats
Charlotte really needs more scoring offense if they're going to have a hope of winning the East conference crown again any time soon and Butler can give them that. After a game or two as the 6th man to adjust to the new team, much like Okafor in Denver, Caron likely slots in as the starting SG, where he'd be a signicant upgrade over Josh Smith. They also get likely high 2nd round picks for the next two drafts which gives them more tickets to try and find a gem.

Advantage: Draw
Both teams got something they needed out of this one, while giving something in return. It's a little surprising to see GM Jestor trade Butler, his fellow Racinian, but reports out of Denver suggest the Nuggets front office was frustrated with Butler's inconsistency.

Okafor was signed to a lengthy contract extension immediately after the trade and he became Denver's starting PF for the next 5 and 1/2 seasons before graciously moving to the bench the last two years. He provided the Nuggets toughness, defense and rebounding inside, something Denver hadn't had since Marcus Camby left the team. More importantly, he became the team captain and the Nuggets' spiritual leader, the extremely popular and well-respected veteran who held the players together.

Ironically enough, Butler, who is also from Jestor's hometown of Racine and attended Park High School with the Nuggets GM, signed with Denver this season and now has a ring along with his old classmate.

-Then- came the 2013 offseason, but the first trade that contributed to this championship wasn't the blockbuster. It was this deal:

Denver Nuggets receive
PG Kirk Hinrich
SG Willie Green
Atlanta Hawks 2013 1st round pick (#18)

Atlanta Hawks receive
SF Al Thornton
PG Leigh Nash
Denver Nuggets 2013 1st round pick (#24)

What this means for the Nuggets
Hinrich has a horrible contract through his age 36 season, but that doesn't matter. He's a pass-first PG with some scoring punch and good defensive skills who instantly turns into Denver's 6th man. They haven't had this kind of luxury on the bench since Chauncey Billups. Green's on the books for $3.6 million a year for the next 4 years and is roster filler, but the Nuggets just moved up 6 places in the first round.

What this means for the Hawks
Let's face it, Atlanta, their surprise run to the 2nd round and taking the Celtics to 7 games last seaon aside, aren't going to be title contenders any time soon, which played a big role in Hinrich's demanding a trade. Thornton may be $9 million a year for the next 4 years and a bench player, but the Hawks still shed on average $3 million a year the next four seasons thanks to dumping both Hinrich and Green. Nash is an end of the bench player and a min-sal expiring contract.

Advantage: Denver
GM Jestor is in Win Now mode and the pressure to deliver a title has only been heightened by the recent change in ownership and Larry Brown's hiring. Giving them a safety net at the guard spots goes a long, long way to filling that aim. Besides, who plays PG for the Hawks now?

Although Hinrich started just one season at PG for the Nuggets, he's been an invaluable bench reserve for the last five seasons, capably distributing the ball, providing some scoring and playing solid defense, even at 37 years old. He almost didn't stay with team, however, as Jestor entertained numerous possiblities of trading him through his Denver years.

-Then- came the big one, the draft day trade that changed the face and fates of two franchises.

Denver Nuggets receive
SF Patrick Pastner
SG Mateen Yeaton
C Phillip Gill
PG Marcus Williams

Indiana Pacers receive
PF Joakim Noah
PF Leroy Wright
SG Ben Gordon
PG Paulinho Buboltz
Denver Nuggets 2013 1st round pick (#18)

What this means for the Nuggets
GM Jestor has long coveted Yeaton and it's not hard to see why. He's 25, a two-time All-Star who just made the All-NBA 2nd Team last season and he gives Denver major size at the SG spot for the first time since Jestor's arrival at 6'8, 207 lbs. He's extremely polished and the Nuggets believe he can be the new AI. Pastner has quietly developed into a consistent, solid starting SF and at 24, he helps make Denver a lot younger in the starting lineup. Most importantly, he forces Mike Miller to the 6th man spot, where he'll be much more effective. Gill is raw, but has some very nice potential. Under the Great Teacher Larry Brown, he'll develop a lot more quickly than he would've under George Karl. Williams is a pass-first PG with good shooting talents, though he lacks the killer instinct.

What this means for the Pacers
The Pacers have pined for Buboltz in the same way that Jestor craved Yeaton and, together with Gordon, suddenly Indiana has a fearsome 3-guard set in Buboltz, Gordon and Tony Parker, a trio reminiscent of the Buboltz-Gordon-Chauncey Billups grouping in Denver a couple seasons ago. Gordon is a good replacement for Yeaton's offense and in Buboltz, Indiana sees a future franchise player and one of the best PGs in the NBA, if not the best. High opinions, but valid, given Paulinho's steady improvement in his three years in the league and the fact that he's still just 21 years old. Noah provides defensive punch that the Pacers lacked and tenatively slots in as the starting SF. Wright fell out of favor after a solid rookie season, but he's proven a capable starting C before and for the heretofore big-man-starved Pacers, he could be just what they're looking for at the five.

Advantage: Draw
This is a major shakeup for both teams and it's too early yet to tell who will come out on top. Buboltz and Yeaton are both in the final year of their rookie contracts with no extension signed, something that may have played a factor in the trade.

The end result of that deal concerning Yeaton is well-known, but what some may not know is that Jestor wanted Yeaton ever since his rookie season, so much so that he actually went out and bought the phenom's Indiana Pacers jersey. He dreamt of the day he could have Yeaton on his team and on this day in 2013, it happened.

What's fascinating to note is that all four of the players Indiana received have stayed with the Pacers for the last five seasons. In that time, Indiana rose to serious East conference contender and collapsed to one of the NBA's worst teams this season, quite the marked difference from Denver's sustained dominance.

At the time, the trade received strong criticism from Nuggets fans, who loved Buboltz and Gordon and angrily wrote and called in to media publications, Internet podcasts, blogs and radio shows, saying that Jestor had given up far too much for Yeaton and he'd ruined the Nuggets' title chances.

Lindsey Williamson, who flip-flopped between the bench and the inactive list on this year's team, but still a member, was drafted 27th overall in the 2014 draft. Although he never developed like the Nuggets hoped, his defense and shotblocking have been a welcome addition to the reserves.

Another starter arrived in an early 2015 season blockbuster trade, one that also brought last season's playoff scapegoat:

Denver Nuggets receive
C Tim Davis
PG Zelipe Gama
SF Antwan Jamison

Detroit Pistons receive
C Dan Jacobson
C Phillip Gill
PG Shaun Livingston
C Eddy Curry

What this means for the Nuggets
GM Jestor strikes again, cutting off a major blockbuster with the defending champion Detroit Pistons after the Nuggets poor play infuriated him. Davis has the best inside shot in the game and is averaging 20 points so far. He's got exceptional defense, great ballhandling skills for a C and is working on developing his rebounding game. He's also an extremely hard-working fan favorite, especially after breaking out in last year's championship run. He'll take Jacobson's place in the rotation. Gama is as gifted a passer as Brandon Brooks and he'll start at the point while Brooks recovers from a nagging arm injury. It'll be interesting to see how the 24 year old Spainard reacts to the increased playing time he'll get in Denver, as he hasn't been a full-time starter since 2012 with the Spurs. Jamison is a $6.5, $7 mill dead weight for the next two seasons. Phillip Gill's departure also means that Jestor's wishes will be fulfilled and Ron McPherson becomes Denver's new starting SF.

What this means for the Pistons
Jacobson may not have the offensive firepower that Davis does, but he's a far, far better rebounder, something Detroit needed. Davis's point total can be more than made up for by Curry, who still brings terrific offensive game and becomes the new starting PF in addition to his lovely $9.9 million expiring contract. Gill, whose potential everyone still swears by, slides in as the starting SF. Livingston's an end of the bench player.

Advantage: Detroit
The Pistons shed a bad contract and pick up three brand-new starters, all of whom combined are an upgrade over what they had previously. Jestor's desparation really cost him here and it may have handed Detroit the keys to the first repeat champion since the Raffle GM entered the league.

Gama was given the keys to the PG spot because of Brooks's injury, as noted, and he's never lost it since, earning an All-Star appearance in 2015 and an All-NBA 2nd Team nod in 2016. He was a miraculous story in his own right, but just as quickly as his star rose and he was considered one of the league's top PGs, so has it just as swiftly fallen, fallen to the point that he's been the incessant target of trade rumors. What Jestor's plans are, no one knows.

Davis looked like the C of the future, but then he got a well-deserved reputation for soft play inside and after being widely cited as the reason for Denver's loss in last year's Finals, he was dealt from the Nuggets for the second time.

Then came the 2016 draft and a move up by Jestor in one of the weakest classes in NBA history:

Denver Nuggets receive
Atlanta Hawks 2016 1st round pick (#6 overall)
PG Javaris Crittenton

Atlanta Hawks receive
Denver Nuggets 2016 1st round pick (#21 overall)
Denver Nuggets 2016 2nd round pick (#34 overall)
Utah Jazz 2018 1st round pick
SG Willie Green

What this means for the Nuggets
The oft-traveled Crittenton, famed for his ball-handling skills, is back in Denver, much to GM Jestor's delight. His return means the Nuggets can renounce Brandon Brooks and allow him to go in free agency. Denver also gets the opportunity to draft a player they really like with this pick.

What this means for the Hawks
Atlanta's not going to be a major player anytime soon, so by acquiring the extra picks, particularly the 2018 1st rounder of the Jazz, allows them to find some more young pieces to go with what they already have. Green's an expiring contract next year of $3.6 million, a nice bonus as the Hawks try and build cap room.

Advantage: Draw
A lot of it depends on what that 2018 1st round pick turns into. Denver acquires a player they covet in the draft, but the higher slot and Crittenton's larger salary mean the Nuggets are going to be facing considerable cap trouble this year.

With this pick, Denver took David Jackson, a cocky, loudmouthed senior from Utah whose gone on to become a fan favorite and the self-proclaimed World's Best Damn 6th Man after a not altogether successful year as the Nuggets' starting C. He's thrived in that role and done much to live up to his self-selected nickname, including his excellent play off the bench in this year's championship run.

Then the 2017 lottery came, where the Nuggets held the Hornets' pick following an earlier trade a few years before. Luck smiled on Denver as they won the top pick in the draft. Jestor was tempted to trade away the 1st overall selection and only impassioned pleas from then-head coach Larry Brown convinced him to finally take Marcelino Augusto, who had a brilliant rookie campaign last year and won Rookie of the Year at 19 and who this year, at 20, became an All-Star and one of the league's top PFs as Denver's first or second scoring option most nights. Augusto's been the subject of trade rumor after trade rumor and we've heard reports that he was almost dealt to the Dallas Maverick for Jonte Jones. Fortunately for Denver's fans, he's stayed with the Nuggets.

The 2018 offseason brought in two more starters, as well as a good portion of Denver's bench. It all started with this trade:

Denver Nuggets receive
SF Luol Deng
SF Lannce Dudley
Milwaukee Bucks 2018 1st round pick (#22 overall)

Milwaukee Bucks receive
C Tim Davis
PF Ron Collier
Denver Nuggets 2018 2nd round pick (#31 overall)

What this means for the Nuggets
Deng provides good defense, rebounding skills, scoring punch and a veteran influence on a team that's still pretty young. He'll step in immediately as the starting SF. Even better for the Nuggets' financial situation, the 33 year old is only signed for this season and next, greatly enhancing their future salary cap flexibility. Dudley, who does spell his first name with two Ns, was taken 17th overall out of Duke by the Bucks in 2014 and the 27 year old showed tantalizing flashes of potential last season. Terrific quiet defender who has some ability to pour in points. Secure with the ball, too. Can't pass, rebound or make the highlight defensive play, though. Also signed to an absurdly long, if modestly priced, contract. The 1st rounder is ammunition in case GM Jestor wants to move up.

What this means for the Bucks
Milwaukee's taking a page from the Lakers and are starting Davis at SF, where he should be an explosive offensive presence and his notorious softness on defense should firm up against the much smaller opponents. He's also the heir apparent to Andrew Bogut at C. Collier moves to a probable 6th or 7th man role, where he's a huge upgrade over Charlie Villaneuva as a reserve in all aspects except rebounding.

Winner: Milwaukee
While L. Deng and L. Dudley should provide better defense, more toughness and more consistency than Davis and Collier did, Denver's going to sorely miss the scoring punch inside and the protection for Marcelino Augusto. David Jackson isn't ready to be the starting C and it's questionable as to if he ever will be. Meanwhile, the Bucks get huge upgrades in size and depth and only have to move down 9 spots in the draft to do so. That's a steal of a deal for Milwaukee and makes them the winners.

Deng proved a great all-around pickup this year and played solid defense throughout the playoffs, including better than expected shadowing of David Anyan in the Finals. Dudley never reported to the Nuggets because Denver refused to let him play PG, so instead he was cut. The cap hit will hurt the Nuggets for several seasons to come, but Jestor has the ability to work around it.

In the 2018 draft, there was a specific player Jestor wanted and, much as he did with Jackson in 2016, he traded up to get him, pulling off an incredible three-way trade to do it.

Denver Nuggets receive
Atlanta Hawks 2018 1st round pick (#25 overall)
Atlanta Hawks 2018 2nd round pick (#38 overall)

Atlanta Hawks receive
Denver Nuggets 2018 1st round pick (#22 overall)

Denver Nuggets receive
Indiana Pacers 2018 1st round pick (#11 overall)

Indiana Pacers receive
Denver Nuggets 2018 1st round pick (#13 overall)
Atlanta Hawks 2018 2nd round pick (#38 overall)

What this means for the Nuggets
GM Jestor pairs two trades together to snatch up the player he's been eyeing all draft long, who wasn't going to make it past the Pacers. He also retains a second first round selection and will come out of this draft with two more players.

What this means for the Hawks
Giving up the 8th overall pick in the 2nd round might be a bit steep to pay to move up 3 spots, but Atlanta evidently sees a player it really wants to get in that range.

What this means for the Pacers
Indiana's interior is an absolute wreck, so it doesn't really matter if they pick up a PF or a C. There should still be a decent big man available just two spots later and by picking up a fairly high second rounder in the bargain, they can try their luck at finding a diamond in the rough big man.

Winner: Denver
Jestor knew the player he wanted and found a way to make it happen without giving up that second first round pick. Brilliant work.

With that 11th pick, Jestor took Victor Gipson, who beat out Jackson for the starting C spot in camp and has played extremely well in his rookie season, including the playoffs. Most significantly, he played with the kind of intensity and ferocity the Nuggets had been missing at C since at least the Dan Jacobson days, perhaps even further back.

Free agency brought a host of role players, including the return of Steven Caspers, a quietly valuable reserve and the more heralded signing of 21 year old Belgian Louis Mertens, who despite having tantalizing promise was never given much of an opportunity with the Sonics, who drafted him 9th overall in 2016. Instead, he joined Denver on a 2 year min-sal deal and showed great potential and flashes of ability, growing in production as the season and playoffs worn on, particularly as a passer and occasional point-scorer. Tony Parker arrived via a minor trade that sent Brent Short and a 2nd round pick to the Bobcats, but his greatest value came in his veteran leadership.

The Nuggets struggled for the first half of the season as new head Scott Skiles, hired after legendary Larry Brown retired, lost control of the team with a clashing demeanor and an ill-fitting system. He was fired at the end of January, following Denver's seventh loss in eight games. Jim O'Brien got the job and his more up-tempo offense re-ignited the Nuggets, bringing the team back to winning form all the way to the title, O'Brien's first as a head coach.

The final piece of the puzzle fell into place a few weeks after O'Brien's hiring and it's the trade that Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo admits to now regretting:

Denver Nuggets receive
SG Rico Wolfe

Toronto Raptors receive
PG Jon Freeman
Charlotte Bobcats 2021 2nd round pick

What this means for the Nuggets
Word out of the Colorado Timberjacks, Denver's D-League affiliate, was that Freeman, while an incredibly intelligent player, simply doesn't have the talent to be a legitimate NBA player. This made him expendable in the eyes of the Denver organization and so he's spun into Wolfe, a good all-around player who famously shut down Mateen Yeaton in last year's NBA Finals. He represents a massive defensive upgrade for the Nuggets bench, something Denver lacked at the guard spots.

What this means for the Raptors
Justin Richler moves to his natural position of SG and Toronto gives 23 year old Bulgarian eric Kostov of the little e a spin at PG. We like Gabe Rosen a lot better to start at point for the Raptors, but Sam Mitchell and his staff apparently don't feel the same. While having Richler at his original position will help improve the three-time defending champions, should the Nuggets and Raptors meet in the Finals for the fourth year in a row, Toronto suddenly doesn't have the big guard body (Wolfe's 6'8, 190 lbs) or the defensive prowess to limit Yeaton. Freeman's averaging 11.7 points and 6.6 assists in the D-League, but the Raptors are calling him up to give him a trial with the big club.

Winner: Denver
The Nuggets needed to improve their bench defense at guard and they do it by picking up Wolfe while giving up a player they lost hope for. More importantly, they just acquired a major weapon, one with knowledge of the Raptors' schemes and a key component to Toronto's title last year. The Zelipe Gama rumors can also be laid to rest for now.

Wolfe proved the perfect fit as the Nuggets' first guard off the bench and more critically for the Raptors, they lost the tall, good defender who so determinedly and successfully limited Yeaton in last year's Finals. This opened the door for Jestor's most loved player to have the miracle Finals he did this year, winning the Finals MVP and the long-quested for trophy and ring.