Prominent NBA media spokesperson criticizes Nuggets’ “cheap” ownership over KCP loss

The NBA world has reacted to free agency and the real-time and media discussion that has not been kind to the Denver Nuggets and their offseason so far. Most of the reactions come from the team that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leaves the city and moves to the Orlando Magicand agreed to a three-year, $66 million contract.

The Nuggets could have matched or beaten that offer, but that would have put the team over the second luxury tax threshold. Combined with a hefty tax bill, that would have limited the team in terms of other roster moves. Instead, You bet on the young players to improve and develop further, while at the same time maintaining a certain flexibility for later steps.

The general mood in the media was mostly negative as people disagreed with the direction Calvin Booth and the owners were taking. One of the loudest and most critical voices in the media in recent days has been Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer. O’Connor co-hosts the Mismatch podcast with Chris Vernon.

In their episode on Tuesday, July 2 They analyzed the loss of KCP and had some extremely harsh words for the Nuggets. Vernon introduced the transaction by saying, “This honestly makes absolutely no sense to me for Denver. Not at all.” When KOC explained the move in more detail, Verno added, “It’s a mistake.”

This caused O’Connor to go on a bit of a tantrum in his thoughts about the Nuggets, which included some vitriol. Here are some of his most scathing comments.

“There’s no denying that the Nuggets are a worse team today than they would have been with KCP, and that hurts their chances of making the Finals in a pretty profound way… Denver is suddenly in a tough spot… They’re the team that you look at and say, that’s stingy ownership… That’s a failure to support your megastar Jokic, your future Hall of Famer, your all-time great, your three-time MVP. That’s on the ownership and also on the management.
“

– Kevin O’Connor on The Mismatch

you too then discussed possible future steps, including a potential Signing of Russell Westbrook what KOC called a “complete disaster.” Needless to say, they are extremely down on the Nuggets. Their opinion is fair and justified and reflects what many fans of the team must be feeling right now.

It’s a disappointing start to the offseason; it looks like a title team is about to be demolished for the second year in a row. Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon aren’t getting any younger, but the team seems to be investing in some youth movement. Hopefully they know what they do, and we won’t look back on the offseason with regret.