The Denver Nuggets remain strong contenders for another championship run, but their title hopes will largely depend on the development of young players and more consistent performances from key veterans. With the new apron rules impacting their ability to upgrade the roster, Denver lost starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to Orlando, a major blow to their defense. His departure puts the spotlight on former first-round picks Christian Braun and Julian Strawther, who now have the opportunity to step up and fill the void.
The Nuggets also faced a tough setback with first-round pick DaRon Holmes II suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in summer league, derailing plans for him to play a crucial backup role. Although Denver brought in veterans Dario Saric and Russell Westbrook in free agency, their success will still hinge on internal growth.
Denver’s championship aspirations rest heavily on Nikola Jokic, but they’ll need strong support from Jamal Murray, who returned to form during their 2023 title run but struggled in the playoffs. As Murray enters the prime of his career at 26, he will be crucial alongside Jokic in running the offense, especially in pick-and-roll ,drive-and-kick or dribble-handoff situations where Murray needs to be the decision maker at times. Furthermore, the Nuggets will also require more consistency from Michael Porter Jr., who has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career but needs to deliver high-level performances more regularly.