http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9621 Denver Nuggets... The Grade So Far After a slow start, it's been an eventful offseason for the Denver Nuggets. And the way things are shaping up, the Nuggets might not be done, either. Here's Denver's offseason report card with a detailed look at each move made thus far. Players and Assets Acquired via Trade $10 million Trade Exception: Acquired in exchange for center Marcus Camby and the right to swap 2010 second round picks. Grade: Incomplete Prevailing sentiment is that the Nuggets gave away its starting center for nothing. However, that only holds true if the Nuggets fail to use the Trade Exception acquired in the deal. Did owner Stan Kroenke order this deal to be made to cut salary as some have insinuated? Or, did the Nuggets make this move to achieve greater financial flexibility so they can restructure the roster into a title contender? The simple truth is this question just can't be answered yet, and the proof will be in the pudding. If the Nuggets use the financial flexibility created by this trade to make the team better, it could turn out to be a great trade. If not, the move will have been nothing more than a mirage and could go down as one of the worst deals in franchise history. Renaldo Balkman: Acquired in exchange for Taurean Green, Bobby Jones and a 2010 second round pick Grade: A The Nuggets got a very solid one-on-one defender in exchange for two guys whose contracts weren't going to be guaranteed, anyway. What's not to like about that? Moreover, the fact Balkman makes only about $1.3 million next season means he fits very nicely into Denver's current financial structure. Think of him as a younger and longer version of Eduardo Najera. If he doesn't pan out, the Nuggets can decline his team option next summer. If, on the other hand, he gives them the type of energy and defensive effort your friendly neighborhood columnist is expecting him to, he has the chance to be an absolute steal for Denver over the course of the next three seasons. Players Added in Free Agency Chris Anderson: Signed a one-year $998,000 deal as an unrestricted free agent. Grade: B- This was a low-risk, high-reward play for the Nuggets. If Anderson can reclaim the form he once had in Denver, he will prove to be a valuable energy player off the bench. If not, the team will simply part ways with him next summer. Anderson's ability to block shots from the weak side will be important with Camby no longer in powder blue, and his energy could help him earn a spot in George Karl's rotation. It's also important to note that the league will be paying a portion of his salary since he signed a veteran's minimum deal, so it was a sound financial investment by the team. Dahntay Jones: Signed a one-year $926,678 deal as an unrestricted free agent. Grade: C This was also a low-risk play, but the potential reward probably won't be as high as it could be with Anderson. Jones' willingness to play defense during summer league play is what got the Nuggets' attention. However, with a glut of smaller guards already on the roster, it's hard to imagine Jones cracking the rotation. Like Anderson, Jones' contract is also a league minimum deal. Players Acquired in the Draft Sonny Weems: Drafted with the 39th pick in last June's Draft Grade: C+ Okay, so technically Weems was acquired via trade from the Chicago Bulls, but since he was a draft pick we'll discuss him as such. The move cost the Nuggets a 2009 second round pick. However, considering Weems' phenomenal athletic ability, the acquisition was a decent one by Denver. That said, he does not have a guaranteed contract for next season and will have to make the team by virtue of a strong showing in training camp. And even if he does, minutes will likely be few and far between. Business to Be Done: J.R. Smith's status is still in limbo. Denver VP of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien told HOOPSWORLD last April that Smith would be in a Nuggets' uniform next season. However, whether Smith will be playing for the one-year qualifying offer or with a new long-term deal is not yet known. Unless someone offers him absolutely funny money, though, expect Smith to be back. Assuming Smith is indeed brought back, the Nuggets don't really have to add any additional pieces to the roster. That said, expect the Nuggets to continue to have dialogue about potential trades involving virtually anyone on the roster not named Carmelo Anthony, and if the right deal comes along, don't be surprised if the front office pulls the trigger. Total Offseason Grade: C+ Virtually Denver's entire offseason hinges on what the club decides to do with the trade exception and when they decide to do it. Are the Nuggets committed to spending the money and trying to build a championship contender next season or was the Camby trade really the first step in a larger rebuilding process that will start next summer when Allen Iverson's nearly $21 million salary comes off the books? It's going to be an interesting next couple of months in the Mile High City. As things stand now, the Nuggets have done an above-average job of plugging some defensive holes with relatively inexpensive talent. In the very tough Western Conference, though, Denver certainly hasn't done enough to be considered a true contender. --

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