After losing their first two games of the preseason to the Boston Celtics, the Denver Nuggets showed one glaring concern — their depth. They did play the defending champions, who proved to have one of the best-constructed rosters in the NBA. Despite that, outside of the Nuggets’ projected rotation, they struggled heavily. In the only game where the Nuggets’ projected rotation played, the first ten players to play had an even or positive plus/minus except Vlatko Čančar. Everyone else that played over four minutes had a plus/minus of -4 or worse.
Nuggets Depth is a Concern Heading Into The 2024-25 Season
Staying Healthy is a Huge Priority
Every NBA team wants to stay healthy over the course of a season, but the Nuggets must stay healthy to have another shot at the NBA Finals. The 2024 playoffs proved the Nuggets’ starters ran out of gas, so keeping them fresh should be a top priority. After losing key piece, Bruce Brown, in the 2023 offseason, they lost their starting shooting guard, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, this past offseason, who signed with the Orlando Magic. Losing two quality shooting guards in back-to-back offseasons puts a strain on the depth of the roster. It also adds pressure to young players Christian Braun and Peyton Watson, who will both see elevated roles.
Even after losing Caldwell-Pope, the Nuggets will have an excellent starting lineup led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. As long as Jokić stays healthy, the Nuggets will have a chance at winning another championship. Elevating the play of his teammates is one of his strongest traits, but if the Nuggets are derailed by injuries, he will have too much weight on his shoulders.
Jalen Pickett and Zeke Nnaji, two players with multi-year guaranteed contracts, have proved to be complete non-factors while on the court. DeAndre Jordan doesn’t have much left in the tank either, and Hunter Tyson has been streaky in his limited NBA minutes. Having any of those players play significant roles due to injuries could make or break their season.
Relying on Youth Movement
Braun is slotted to start at shooting guard and will have an increased role. He was effective throughout his first two seasons but will need to stay consistent as a spot-up shooter playing alongside Jokić and Jamal Murray, who are both great playmakers. He improved from 35.3% from three his rookie season to 38.3% last season. With a likely increase in attempts this year, remaining at 38% would be huge for the Nuggets. Defensively, Braun is solid and will fit alongside the starters well.
Watson will also see more minutes this season after being an effective bench contributor last season. Watson was a dominant force on defense, leading the Nuggets in blocks per game and guarding the best opposing wings. The biggest area for improvement would be offensively, especially with his shooting percentages. He only shot 29.6% from three last season after shooting 42.9% his rookie season in limited minutes. Shooting in the mid-30s would help the Nuggets significantly, as their shooting remains a concern on paper.
Julian Strawther is a huge X-factor for the Nuggets, as he brings the potential to be an incredible three-point shooter. Heading into his second season, Strawther is coming off a streaky rookie season. He showed better production in games where he played more. In the games he played 20 or more minutes, he averaged 13.8 points per game on 44.8% from the field and 37.5% from three. The majority of his minutes last season came during garbage time. This season, he should become a staple in their rotation.
A championship-hopeful team relying on young players to contribute is a risk, but the Nuggets have no choice. Their depth hinges on their young players. To win another title, they will need good play and consistency from those three players specifically.
