The Denver Nuggets are largely the same team that they were last season when looking at the main players on the roster, but at the same time there are some major differences. 

Offseason additions like guard/forward DeMar DeRozan were some of the main headline grabbers, but the Nuggets have loaded up on role players and after the 2026 Draft, there are some impactful rookies on the roster as well that have been given ample opportunities early in the season to show what they can do.

One of those rookies is forward Trevon Brazile, the Nuggets' 2026 second-round pick, who started against New Orleans and played a crucial role in the tight 104-91 victory.

Brazile scored 11 points and added eight rebounds, one steal and one block in the game as he operated as one of the Nuggets' best defenders on a night where defense was crucial to hold off the Pelicans, who were far more limited offensively than the last time they faced the Nuggets.

The Nuggets have two rookies rostered, Brazile and forward Bryce Hopkins. Head coach David Adelman has been supportive of his rookies both in preseason and in the early parts of this season, as has star center Nikola Jokic. 

On a night where Jokic himself made headlines by recording his 200th career triple-double, he also took the time to shout out his rookies, especially Brazile, and while he's already had his expectations raised by the way they've conducted themselves early in the season, he's also giving them the space and time to get even better.

"I believe in them and I think they have a lot to offer," Jokic said. "They're in new roles, new positions, everything is new. So, we need to give them a little bit of time, but I think that the energy is there, the focus is there. They want to do the right thing and I think that's the most important thing," via (Nuggets).  

The Nuggets need youth now more than ever. The team, while talented, is trending in an older direction and to have energetic young players like Brazile and Hopkins is huge for them. Both offer different, complimentary skillsets to the Nuggets that do make them far more well-rounded as a team.

Having that energy and those skills at such an early stage of their careers is a great sign for what both Brazile and Hopkins can become, but the value they're already adding to the team is even better.

The Nuggets need everyone on the roster to work together if they want to remain competitive in the Western Conference, from the biggest stars to the rookies showing promise. 

Jokic loves what he's seeing from them already, but he's looking forward to seeing what they can grow into even more.