Latest:
oct 03 2026Nikola Jokic has finished in the top two of MVP voting for six consecutive seasons, something only two players had accomplished before him. However, the Nuggets have fallen early in the playoffs for three straight springs. Since their 2023 championship, they haven't returned to a conference finals, and Denver's offseason has centered on one idea: preventing Jokic's elite offense from being wasted by poor defense.
Where They're Coming From: Best Offense, Another Early Exit
The 2025-26 season had two faces. On offense, the Nuggets were the best in the league: according to NBA.com, they posted their best offensive season in a decade in which they've never finished lower than seventh. Jokic averaged a triple-double for the second straight year, with 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists, and became the first player in history to lead the league in both rebounds and assists in the same season. Jamal Murray had his best year, averaging 25.4 points in 75 games.
On defense, however, Denver ranked 21st in the league for the second consecutive year. Aaron Gordon played only 36 games, and head coach David Adelman's starting lineup barely played together in 23 games, though they went 18-5 in those contests. The Nuggets finished 54-28, third in the West, and fell in the first round to Minnesota (2-4).
The Offseason: Watson Departs, DeRozan and Diallo Arrive
The most painful departure is Peyton Watson. With Denver bumping against the second luxury tax threshold, the team couldn't match the shooting guard's contract and sent him to Cleveland in a five-team trade, receiving a 2031 first-round pick without protections and a second-rounder. Tim Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown, Jalen Pickett, and Jonas Valančiūnas also depart, with Valančiūnas returning to Europe to sign with Zalgiris.
With limited salary cap space, Denver fished the minimum market. DeMar DeRozan, the 16th all-time leading scorer, signed a one-year veteran minimum deal after averaging 18.4 points in Sacramento. At 37 years old, his expected role is sixth man.
Alpha Diallo, From EuroLeague to the NBA
The signing with the most interest for European fans is Alpha Diallo. The 29-year-old small forward was named EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year with Monaco, averaging 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. He had signed with Dubai Basketball but had an NBA opt-out clause through July 15, and Denver arrived in time: one year for $1.4 million.
NBA.com has him pegged as a breakout candidate. His mission is clear: defend the opposition's best perimeter players, the role Watson filled. His offensive contribution takes a backseat, but on a team with Jokic, Murray, and Gordon, he won't need to score much. Other additions include Marvin Bagley III, Trevon Brazile, and Bryce Hopkins, plus Cam Whitmore on a two-way contract. Dave Joerger, former head coach of Memphis and Sacramento, joins the coaching staff with a mandate to improve the defense.
The Rotation
The starting five is the same as recent years: Murray, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, Gordon, and Jokic. DeRozan will lead the second unit alongside Diallo, Bagley, and Brazile. If Gordon stays healthy, Denver has one of the best starting lineups in the West. The problem lies on the bench.
See Also
- Denver Nuggets Interested in Alpha Diallo
- Peyton Watson Signs with Cavaliers for $88 Million
- Free Agents Still Without Teams: Harden, DeRozan, and Kuminga
The Season's Big Questions
First is defense. Two straight years ranked 21st are incompatible with a championship, and the team has lost its best perimeter defender. Diallo and Joerger have the mission to reverse that.
Second is Gordon's health. With him on the court, the starting five functions; without him, Denver has no adequate replacement.
Third is the bench. DeRozan provides scoring, but at 37 years old and in a new role for him. The rest of the second unit is young or arrives on minimum contracts.
And there's Jokic, who will turn 32 in February. This summer he reiterated that he wants to play in Denver his entire career. The team needs to make the most of his prime years.
The Schedule: Key Dates
The start is demanding: 14 of the first 22 games are on the road. On December 2 in Philadelphia comes the Jokic-Embiid showdown. In late January, a double-header against the Thunder: January 30 in Oklahoma City and the rematch three nights later in Denver.
March brings the decisive stretch, with the Spurs (March 3) and Timberwolves (March 7) in Denver. On March 18, Watson returns to Ball Arena with the Cavaliers.
Piratas' Prediction
As long as Jokic is on the court, the Nuggets will have one of the league's best offenses and will be contenders. But the West has raised the bar, and Denver has lost depth and its best perimeter defender in exchange for minimum-cost pieces. Our prediction: between 50 and 54 wins, a direct playoff spot between third and fifth in the West, and the second round as the minimum requirement. If Diallo proves to be the defender he was in Europe, Denver can go further.
