Nuggets offseason outlook: Denver doesn’t have many ways to improve
Despite having one of many world’s finest gamers in Nikola Jokic and benefiting from one of the best season of Jamal Murray‘s profession, the third-seeded Denver Nuggets noticed their season finish prematurely by the hands of the injury-ravaged Minnesota Timberwolves.
This, at a naked minimal, raises questions.
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Jokić, unnecessary to say, is a keeper. He’s not going wherever, nor does he want to.
Murray, presumably, also needs to be protected given his season and his chemistry with Jokić, which is critical.
But after that… oh boy.
Christian Braun‘s $125 million extension seems like an issue, except he bounces again after a tough season.
Peyton Watson is up for a brand new deal, however we have but to see how influential he could possibly be in a playoff context.
Aaron Gordon is an incredible match, however his contract is growing and he is getting older.
Sweeping adjustments probably aren’t wanted, however the Nuggets should not shut the door on contemplating them.
Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokić did not have a good time in Game 6 in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
2025-26 end
Record: 54-28, third within the Western Conference. Eliminated within the first spherical by the Minnesota Timberwolves in six video games.
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Highlight of the season
The play of Jamal Murray, who made his first All-Star crew. The championship-winning guard averaged 25.4 factors and seven.1 assists in his career-best the season.
If the Nuggets obtain this kind of annual manufacturing, that is probably a superb signal transferring ahead.
Players signed for subsequent season
Nikola Jokic
Jamal Murray
Aaron Gordon
Christian Braun
Key free brokers
Peyton Watson (RFA)
Spencer Jones (FRG)
Bruce Brown (UFA)
Projected wage
$201,396,723
draft picks
Nos. 26 & 49
Draft focus: If the Nuggets need to lower your expenses by dumping a few of their youthful gamers, it is essential they refill the cabinet. They might use extra guard play and one other huge man in case Jonas Valančiūnas doesn’t stick round.
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Virtually none. The Nuggets are extraordinarily costly and can probably discover themselves far above the second apron. If something, count on them to make some degree of financially pushed trades.
Needs and targets
Whatever occurred this season simply cannot occur once more, whether or not you need to blame chemistry points or roster inadequacy. The Nuggets are in dire want of merely figuring issues out and including depth to get again to competing for one more title. They’re too good to let one of the best years of Jokić’s profession slip away, however the huge man is commonly carrying an excessive amount of of a load.