The Denver Nuggets entered the offseason with the potential to make a number of changes after a disappointing playoff run in which they lost in the first round in six games to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Nuggets haven’t been out of the second round since winning the championship in 2023, and fans have wondered if the window with Nikola Jokic is closing.

Denver made some minor improvements, replacing backup center Jonas Valanciunas with Marvin Bagley III, who is more of an offensive threat and a better athlete, giving Denver more versatility in their frontcourt.

They also added EuroLeague standout defender Alpha Diallo, hoping his defense translates to the NBA, but lost Sixth Man of the Year candidate Tim Hardaway Jr.

The biggest loss was restricted free agent Peyton Watson, who had a breakout season and was one of the team’s more promising young players. Instead of re-signing Watson to a long-term deal, the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement and Watson was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

To help offset the offensive losses of Watson and Hardaway Jr, they signed veteran DeMar DeRozan.

The simple answer is no.

Denver has its starting lineup set with Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Jokic. However you feel about those players after their disappointing playoff outing shouldn’t affect how well they played in the regular season last year.

Removing garbage time, this lineup played 342 minutes together and had a +12.9 net rating, the third best among five-man lineups that played 200+ minutes together. 

They weren’t nearly as good in the playoffs, turning in an abysmal -13.1 net rating, which was largely due to their offense playing well below its regular season level as Murray and Jokic struggled from the floor.

Denver might try DeRozan as a starter at some point in the season, especially if there are injuries, but it won’t be to start the season.

DeRozan is going into his 18th season in the league, but he is still one of the better scorers, especially coming off the bench. He averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on 49% shooting from the field and 32% from three last season with the Sacramento Kings.

In losing Watson and Hardaway Jr, the Nuggets lost 27 combined points per game. Someone has to replace those points off the bench, and Denver’s bench prior to signing DeRozan was down to Spencer Jones, Tyus Jones, Julian Strawther, Zeke Nnaji, DaRon Holmes, Diallo, and Bagley.

Those seven players averaged 31 combined points last year, with a third of that coming from Bagley, who played for Dallas and Washington.

DeRozan has his flaws, especially on the defensive end, but he’s a valuable piece to the Denver bench.