Nuggets Preview: Nikola Jokic, Core Keep Title Window Open, But Other Pieces Must Do Their Part

Nuggets Preview

A look at the Denver Nuggets entering the 2024-25 season …

• Record: 57-25 (lost to the Timberwolves in the second round)
• New Faces: Russell Westbrook, Dario Saric, DaRon Holmes II
• Key Losses: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Reggie Jackson, Justin Holiday

Overview

The Nuggets are still the team to beat in the Western Conference, thanks to one man: Nikola Jokic.

With Jokic running the show, Denver will always be in the hunt. The big man is simply that good. He’s the engine, the centerpiece, and everything in between. You know it, I know it, and the rest of the NBA knows it.

But as good as Jokic is, he can’t do it alone. Sure, Jamal Murray is the perfect sidekick, especially when he’s healthy, and Aaron Gordon has found his niche as the do-everything enforcer. Michael Porter Jr. might be the league’s most lethal shooter not named Stephen Curry. That’s an elite core, and it’s the reason Denver won the 2023 championship.

Now, here’s the concern. Depth. Denver’s rotation took some serious hits over the last two offseasons. Bruce Brown? Gone. Jeff Green? Gone. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope? Gone. Individually, none of these guys will make headlines. But collectively? They were crucial to the Nuggets’ title run. They provided the grit, hustle, and versatility that kept Denver rolling. Without them, the bench is a question mark.

The Nuggets are banking on Christian Braun stepping up, and maybe Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther can fill some gaps. But relying on young players to deliver in a championship chase is always a gamble. It’s one thing to have Braun contribute as a role player; it’s another to expect a full-on leap. So far, that hasn’t happened.

And then there’s Russell Westbrook. Yes, the former MVP is now a Nugget, and yes, he still brings plenty of explosiveness. But at 36, can he really make the difference off the bench? More importantly, will he buy into a smaller role?

We’ve seen Westbrook flame out in situations that required him to defer. He’s a wild card, no doubt about it.

Still, the Nuggets have Jokic. And as long as they do, they have a shot at defending their crown. He’s the best player on the planet, and when you have that kind of talent, you’re never out of contention.

Murray’s health will be critical, but he says he’s fully recovered. If Murray’s back to being Murray, the pick-and-roll with Jokic will remain the most devastating weapon in the league.

But depth matters in the playoffs, especially in the Western Conference gauntlet. If Denver’s bench doesn’t show up, if Braun and the youngsters don’t step up, if Westbrook doesn’t fit in, the Nuggets could be in trouble.

Best-case scenario? Murray is healthy, Braun becomes a reliable fifth starter, and Porter rounds out his game. Westbrook injects some fire off the bench, and Denver’s core storms through the West.

Gordon summed it up, saying everyone on the Nuggets needs to hold up their end of the bargain. And with Jokic in his prime, that bargain is another title.

Worst-case scenario? Murray’s injuries linger, Westbrook brings more chaos than help, and Denver’s young players don’t develop fast enough. If that happens, the Nuggets could be looking at another early playoff exit.

And if it all goes south, don’t be surprised if ownership starts questioning the long-term investment in Porter and decides to shake things up around Jokic and Murray.

Bottom line? The Nuggets are still contenders — but how far they go will depend on what they get from the guys around Jokic and Murray.

• More Nuggets | All coverage from Hoops Wire