What do the Denver Nuggets need to do to get back to the NBA Finals?
The Denver Nuggets won the NBA Championship in 2023, and many thought they would be back sooner rather than later.
In the three seasons since, they have failed to make the Western Conference Finals, losing twice in the second round and once in the first.
This past season, despite being the third seed in the West, was perhaps their most disappointing season since winning the championship, as they lost in the first round to the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games.
The loss came after Minnesota played shorthanded in games five and six with no Donte DiVincenzo or Anthony Edwards, their starting backcourt.
After a season that ended sooner than anyone in Denver hoped, questions now arise as the offseason looms.
Getting Back To Contention - Murray and Gordon Questions
Denver's core three of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon has prove chemistry and playoff success, but Gordon has been injured in each of the last two playoff runs and his durability has come into question.
The biggest thing the Nuggets have to do in the offseason is figure out if they are going to keep Murray and Gordon. If they are, you retool around them. If you're going to trade one or both of them, you need to get a player who complements Jokic and can carry the offense when he sits.
Re-Sign Peyton Watson, Trade Christian Braun
Re-signing Peyton Watson should be the biggest priority for Denver in the offseason. He's one of their better point of attack defenders and he can create his own offense. His inability to play in the playoffs due to injury hurt them against the Timberwolves as they failed to get consistent stops.
In re-signing Watson, Christian Braun becomes expendable given his contract.
The market for Braun might be low after his playoff performance and contract, but there will be some team out there who buy low in hopes of rebuilding his value and selling higher.
Find A Capable Backup Center Or Second Team Plan
When Jokic sit, the Denver offense tanks. Whether it's the lack of creativity from the second unit or a backup center who can't play at the level, something has to change.
Bringing back Watson will help things, and Jonas Valanciunas was servicable in the regular season, but Denver has to identify a long-term solution to their backup center and second unit offensive problems.
Find Defense
Offense hasn't been an issue in the Jokic era, and though their defense hasn't been good, it hasn't hindered them in the regular season.
The playoffs have been a different story.
They couldn't get a single meaningful stop down the stretch of any game against Minnesota, which is what ultimately sunk them in the playoffs.
Whether the scheme needs to change, more defensive-minded players need to be brought in, or Jokic needs to show more effort, something has to change on that end of the floor.
