2023-24 season: 56-26
Stand out: While it would be easy to point to Nikola Jokić winning the MVP award, the fact that the Nuggets saw improvement from their young players is a highlight in itself given the future implications.
How I finish
With the league still in random championship mode. There hasn’t been a repeat champion since the Golden State Warriors won in 2017 and 2018.
The Nuggets had a strong year, with health primarily on their side minus Jamal Murray missing 23 games. Michael Porter Jr., known for missing time throughout his career due to back problems, played in 81 games. Jokić, Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope all played more than 70 games, which in today’s league is quite an achievement.
The Nuggets helped themselves by opening the door to their younger players and managing their starters’ minutes (only Jokić played more than 32 minutes per game), laying the foundation for how they want to operate going forward.
Peyton Watson, Christian Braun and even Julian Strawther got plenty of burns this season, combining to play over 4,000 minutes. That kind of investment in youth is rarely seen from the reigning champions, but the Nuggets are keenly aware of the need to maintain and foster depth. With the Milwaukee Bucks becoming a scary example of a team that grew old and lean on the bench after their championship, the Nuggets are trying to build for the future and expand their competitive window.
As such, it shouldn’t be a surprise if the team returns to virtually the same roster next year, with minimal changes.
That said, with Reggie Jackson now 34 years old and not playing any kind of major role in the postseason, the Nuggets could upgrade their backup point guard spot.
Denver Nuggets bulldozes Rudy Gobert (27) of the Minnesota Timberwolves en route to scoring an easy basket during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, May 19 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9fB9yScM6QOksxIPpsdV2Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc2MA–/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2024-05/b1877da0-1656-11ef-88f7-ee201798cabd”>
Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets should remain title contenders. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
The biggest off-season need
The aforementioned backup point guard could use some attention, but the same could be said for the backup center position, where neither Zeke Nnaji nor DeAndre Jordan are the answer. If the franchise could persuade Jonas Valančiūnas to sign for cheap, with the promise of going deep in the playoffs, that would be a success for the Nuggets.
Draft-focus”>Focus eraser
The Nuggets have plenty of options. In the first round, Weber State guard Dillon Jones could be a good addition to the second unit. The 6-foot-6 guard nearly averaged a triple-double as a senior and has a high IQ. UConn’s Cam Spencer is another player who fits Denver’s style of play and could be someone they select in the second round. The 6-4 guard was one of the toughest in the NCAA tournament and averaged 14.3 points and 3.6 assists per game. -Krysten Peek
Draft picks: Nos. 28 and 56
Salary cap analysis
The Nuggets don’t have much wiggle room under the second apron, meaning it’s not out of the realm of possibility to see them dump Nnaji’s $8.8 million salary to provide some room to make improvements.
Ultimately, if no trade materializes, the franchise could decide to simply use its two draft picks as a way to find cheap talent that can fill a need in the future. The fact that the Nuggets have two picks is crucial to their future salary cap.
Key free agents
None, unless Caldwell-Pope opts out of his $15.4 million salary.
Goal for next season
Do you really need to ask? The Nuggets have the best player in basketball, and he should have at least another 5 or 6 more years of MVP-caliber play left in him. They intend to make the most of it and that means the goal will be the same for the foreseeable future.
What can move the fantasy needle?
The defending champions met a worthy opponent in the Minnesota Timberwolves, leaving them one game away from reaching the Western Conference finals. Jokić’s time as a 1.01 in Fantasy is at risk with the arrival of Victor Wembanyama, but I wouldn’t blame anyone for selecting Jokić with the first pick. Jokić, a three-time MVP who rarely gets hurt, is 25/11/8. He is an all-time great and one of the best in fantasy basketball history.
Murray finished in the top 30, and although he played fewer than 60 games, he was super efficient from the field for a shooting guard, posting a 48/43/85 shooting split in his eighth NBA season. Murray surpassed his ADP, as did Michael Porter Jr. Porter had more than seven rebounds per game for the second time in his career, but I would probably draft him around the seventh round, as his ceiling is limited playing third base. rolls in Denver.
Gordon and Caldwell-Pope flirted with top-100 value at various points this season and offer reliable backend depth for fantasy managers.
While Braun and Watson may currently be relegated to dynasty formats, their potential for success in fantasy is undeniable. They are intriguing options, especially if an injury occurs, and add an element of excitement and anticipation to his fantasy basketball future. The Nuggets may not see significant changes, but the path West becomes more challenging every year. – Dan Tito
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