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Denver Nuggets have signed their KCP replacement for ‘dirt cheap money’, claims Chris Mannix

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Sep 8, 2025 9:41 AM ET

The Denver Nuggets have finally replaced Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with a player who costs them next to nothing, says Chris Mannix.

The Denver Nuggets have had a very successful offseason, making some big roster and front office personnel changes ahead of the new NBA season.

The Nuggets were brilliant in free agency, swooping up the likes of Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas on some team-friendly deals.

On top of that, the Nuggets also traded for Cam Johnson, replacing Michael Porter Jr. with a more efficient star in the same role.

And after Kessler Edwards signed with the Nuggets, head coach David Adelman’s roster looks set. But it’s one of these moves that Chris Mannix believes has plugged a huge gap on their roster.

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Chris Mannix says Tim Hardaway Jr. is perfect Kentavious Caldwell-Pope replacement

Chris Mannix spoke with Rachel Nichols on the Sports Illustrated podcast recently about who they believe are the true contenders in the NBA next season.

When discussing the Denver Nuggets’ offseason, Mannix praised them for signing Tim Hardaway Jr., saying that he replaces Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s role from their title-winning season at a great cost.

“I feel like they’re getting a starter for dirt cheap money. No, they’re not the same guy.

“But I can see Tim Hardaway Jr camping out in the corner in the way KCP did for Denver, and playing the same kind of role for them.

“Valanciunas, not gonna say he’s he’s an elite big man, but it’s a big, strong body that can take the load off Nikola Jokic.”

Denver Nuggets are the OKC Thunder’s biggest threat next season

The Denver Nuggets have made their intentions ahead of next season clear – they are going to compete for an NBA championship.

Last season, the Nuggets were one of two teams that pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder to the limits in the playoffs, forcing them to a Game 7 in the second round.

The fact that they were able to do so with a somewhat flawed roster shows just how good Nikola Jokic and David Adelman can be.

This is why they went out and overhauled their roster. Imagine what the Nuggets can achieve when they have the tools to compete with the best team in the NBA.

Expect the Nuggets to come back with a vengeance next season, as they look to get back to the mountaintop.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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