The Denver Nuggets offseason has been met with side-eyed concerns and critiques regarding questionable roster changes. Losing another depth player in consecutive offseasons without a solid replacement has left some fans and NBA media personalities puzzled, as has with the team’s key free agent pick-up. Should the Nuggets have done more this offseason? Or will Nikola Jokic lead them back to the finals for a second time in three years?
Denver Nuggets Offseason: A Review To Date
Nuggets Offseason Waves Bye to KCP, Hi to Westbrook
The Denver Nuggets offseason has earned a poor response from many. For the second consecutive summer, the team has seen two pivotal pieces walk in free agency: Bruce Brown last year and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this summer. In both cases, Denver has failed to replace the positions.
The Nuggets struggled with depth this past season following their championship year. Now, having lost KCP due to luxury tax reasons, the team has lost even more depth. Losing KCP is a blow to the team and its three-time MVP, Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets will now rely on some of their younger and largely unproven players like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson. Both players have seen limited time in the NBA. When presented with the opportunity to play, however, Watson and Braun have shown their potential. In Denver’s championship run two years ago, Braun played well, especially in the conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Perhaps Denver is thinking that Braun can take the next step this year and be KCP’s replacement.
This offseason also saw the Nuggets acquire Russell Westbrook, whose time in Los Angeles came to a close. League analysts and talk show heads were divided on this signing and how Westbrook, Jokic, and Jamal Murray would work together. It seems like an odd fit, but Jokic is said to have supported a Westbrook pursuit, and now he’s got the energetic but sporadic, spotty point guard. It will either turn out to be similar to the Westbrook/Clippers relationship or the dreadful Westbrook/Lakers experiment.
Key Player Departures
Besides losing Caldwell-Pope to the rising Orlando Magic this offseason, the Nuggets saw Reggie Jackson and Justin Holiday leave the scene. Jackson was a suitable backup to Murray, but his play declined in the playoffs. That may be why Denver didn’t try to retain the veteran.
Key Player Acquisitions
Yes, DeAndre Jordan is still in the league, signing a one-year, $3.6 million contract to stay in Denver. The 17-year veteran is far from his peak as a member of the Blake Griffin/Chris Paul-led Clippers team, and his playing time this year will no doubt be sparse. However, the big man does hold quite an impressive resume. Jordan is a three-time All-NBA, and two-time NBA All-Defensive Team player who has led the league in rebounding twice in his career. Not to mention, his only championship ring came with the Nuggets. If you want a strong veteran presence with experience and wisdom, Jordan perfectly fits that role for Denver. Dario Šarić is also joining the Nuggets this offseason after departing Golden State.
Russell Westbrook’s free agent signing is a two-year deal that will provide Jamal Murray with much-needed backup help. Westbrook is 35 years old and still missing that elusive ring. Denver might be his last shot at winning an NBA championship.
Can Denver Regain Their 2023 Championship Form?
The Nuggets are only one year removed from winning it all in 2023 but failed last year to reach the Western Conference Finals after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round.
Denver’s championship window is certainly not closed—it can’t be. Nikola Jokic is the reigning MVP (again) and the best player in the league (still). Jamal Murray had a rough Olympics outing, but he’s still a top point guard and can demoralize a team with one shot at will (ask the Lakers). Despite a less-than-stellar offseason, the franchise is still a top franchise in the NBA. Knocking them off in an early playoff round two years in a row could be a tall task for even the league’s best squads.
