Nuggets say Nikola Jokic only untouchable as offseason decisions loom

There is one name not up for discussion in Denver: Nikola Jokic.

Beyond that, the Nuggets are keeping their options open.

Team president Josh Kroenke made it clear during his end-of-season media session that everything else is on the table, a reality that could put players like Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon under the microscope, via Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette.

Kroenke spent time addressing Gordon in particular.

“I love Aaron Gordon. I know that I think the world of him… but there are some things that we’re going to have to look at,” he said. “This team looks a lot different when Aaron Gordon is healthy.”

That is the balance Denver is trying to find.

Gordon remains a key piece, but injuries have complicated things. The Nuggets believe they need him at full strength to reach their ceiling.

“We need a healthy Aaron Gordon,” Kroenke said. “We need to figure out how to make the most of him and get the most out of his body for the benefit of the team.”

The larger question is direction.

Denver could bring back much of the same roster that won 54 games this season. It would come at a cost, likely pushing the team deeper into the tax.

Kroenke did not rule it out.

“Everything is on the table,” he said. “If we deem running it back the most competitive thing that we can do… that’s probably what we’re going to be doing.”

So, yes, the message is simple. Jokic stays. Everything else gets evaluated.