Slowly but surely, the Nuggets are getting whole.
And just over a week before the NBA trade deadline, itap possible the Nuggets’ biggest acquisitions end up simply being the return of their own players.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone said following Monday’s win over Indiana that Monte Morris, out with a left quad strain, would be out only a couple more games. Morris was out on the court before Wednesday’s matchup against Charlotte going through a pre-game shooting routine.
Before his injury, Morris had been starting — and thriving — alongside Jamal Murray, Will Barton, Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic. Malone said that if Morris was healthy, he’d be back in the starting lineup, sliding Paul Millsap back to the bench and Porter down to power forward. But until that happens, expect Millsap to remain alongside the starters.
Earlier this week, following Denver’s loss to Dallas, Millsap approached Malone and reiterated he was happy to come off the bench if need be.
“Itap tremendous,” Malone said. “I don’t take it for granted.”
On Wednesday, Malone said rookie R.J. Hampton would be back in the next day or two after completing the NBA’s health and safety protocol. He hasn’t played since Feb. 27, well before the All-Star break.
“It seems like R.J. Hampton has been gone forever,” Malone said. “It’ll be really good to get R.J. Hampton back in the next day or so just to have another healthy, active body that we can use.”
Thatap especially true because of the ongoing adductor issue with starting shooting guard Gary Harris. Harris has been inactive for 18 of the last 19 games and last played a month ago. Malone said Harris remains out for the “forseeable future” as he works with Denver’s training staff to strengthen his core — an area thatap given him persistent issues.
The Nuggets are 11-8 since Harris’ injury cropped up.
