Windhorst: Nuggets could use LeBron James ‘in the worst way’

The Denver Nuggets might not be out of the LeBron James sweepstakes.

Even if they are hanging on by a thread.

While ESPN’s Shams Charania won’t include the Nuggets in any of his reporting about where the free agent James could sign this summer, Brian Windhorst is taking a different approach.

Windhorst has known and covered James dating back to his high school days, so what he writes and says should be taken seriously. He was one of the first to float the idea of James joining Denver last week.

And on Friday morning, Windhorst and Bobby Marks published a look at “the six potential finalists” for James to sign with. Unlike Charania, Denver made the cut.

The Nuggets joined the usual suspects including the Cavaliers, Warriors, 76ers, Heat and Timberwolves.

The duo of Windhorst and Marks made the case (again) for James to come to the Mile High City. Playing with Nikola Jokic feels like a no-brainer with Windhorst calling him “one of the smartest players the sport has ever seen.” He also pointed out the upside for James teaming up with both Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray.

But the last sentence from Windhorst felt like a bit of an ominous warning. The Nuggets are in trouble if they can’t emerge from the shadows and somehow sway James away from the perceived favorites in Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia and Golden State.

“(Denver) could, in the worst way, use the greatest minimum-contract player in NBA history,” Windhorst wrote.

He’s not wrong. It’s been an underwhelming offseason for the Nuggets. They’ve made a couple of uninspiring signings, second-round draft picks and the future of Peyton Watson remains murky. The salary cap, taxes and second apron are issues as well.

It’s time for Denver to pull a rabbit out of the hat and ink James on the cheap. If not, the Nuggets might be in trouble this coming season and beyond.

To read the full report, click here.

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