The Denver Nuggets are still chasing the magic of their 2023 championship run, but back-to-back Game 7 losses in the Western Conference Semifinals have raised the stakes. With David Adelman set for his first full season as head coach and a reshaped supporting cast, Denver faces a pivotal campaign.
WHAT’S NEW?
The Nuggets made one of the summer’s boldest moves, trading longtime starter Michael Porter Jr. and a first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson. While Johnson isn’t the scorer Porter was, his defensive versatility and dependable shooting bring a fresh dynamic to Denver’s core.
Depth was another priority, with veterans Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas joining to bolster the bench and provide insurance in key spots. Perhaps the biggest boost, though, is the return of Bruce Brown, a fan favorite and proven glue guy who thrived alongside Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray during the 2023 title run.
BIGGEST QUESTIONS
The Nuggets’ core of Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon remains formidable, but how much higher can they push their ceiling with subtle roster changes instead of major shakeups? Murray’s ability to stay consistent throughout the grind of an 82-game season looms large – his highs are superb, but his lows are far too often for a lead guard in his caliber.
Another key storyline is, as mentioned, David Adelman’s first full season at the helm. He showed tactical poise in limited action last spring, but sustaining that level of leadership and navigating the playoff gauntlet will be an entirely new test.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The Joker will continue to be the engine of Denver’s attack, dictating tempo and filling the stat sheet with unmatched ease. The intrigue lies with the supporting cast.
Christian Braun, fresh off a promising year, looms as the team’s top X-factor. His growth into a reliable scoring support for the two stars while also being a diligent defender could swing the Nuggets’ ceiling, especially with Michael Porter Jr. now gone. The league now has more tape on him, and he has to respond.
Cam Johnson also deserves attention – his blend of floor spacing and defense makes him an intriguing partner for Jokić. If the chemistry clicks quickly, Denver may have found exactly the kind of two-way wing it has long needed.
REASON FOR OPTIMISM/CONCERN:
As long as Nikola Jokić is healthy, optimism is never far away. The three-time NBA MVP remains the league’s ultimate problem-solver, capable of elevating role players and dismantling opposing schemes. Denver also boasts continuity, veteran reinforcements, and the welcome return of Bruce Brown, which should stabilize rotations.
The concern, however, comes at the top. Again, all the credit to what Adelman has done since taking over, but he’s reasonably at the center of Nuggets concerns heading into 2025-26 since he’s still short on experience and has quite the responsibility in his hands, all things considered. Can a rookie head coach manage egos, minutes, and playoff adjustments under the league’s brightest spotlight? That uncertainty lingers.
