The Denver Nuggets didn’t make the big changes that fans may have been hoping for after a disappointing playoff run where they lost in six games to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but that doesn’t mean the team should be completely written off.

Denver will be returning the same five starters, and though the group was disappointing in the playoffs, they were one of the best starting lineups during the regular season and should be just as good this season.

They did lose big contributors off the bench with Peyton Watson going to Cleveland in a sign-and-trade, and Tim Hardaway Jr. heading to Miami, but they have players ready to take the next step in Spencer Jones and Julian Strawther.

They also signed DeMar DeRozan, who might be in the twilight of his career, but can still be a strong contributor, especially in the right role.

We know what DeRozan brings to the table. He’s going to score the basketball. He averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on 49% shooting from the field and 32% from three last season.

He can still put pressure on the rim and get to the line along with his usual brand of tough shot-making. The Nuggets need defense, and DeRozan is the furthest player from defense that you can have, but one bench defender wasn’t going to drastically change the team’s identity on the defense end. They may as well continue to lean into offense, and they needed offense off the bench following the losses of Watson and Hardaway Jr.

With his scoring, DeRozan is going to put himself into Sixth Man of the Year conversations during the season.

The best ability is availability, and DeRozan has been available throughout his entire career.

In 17 seasons in the league, DeRozan has played 1264 of a possible 1394 games (averaged 82 games per season). That’s 90% of games and doesn’t take into account the shortened seasons.

He’s missed five games or less in each of the past three seasons.

On a team that dealt with injuries to nearly all of its top players last year, DeRozan’s ability to stay on the court will go a long way. If a starter goes down, DeRozan can fill in and keep the offense running.

Off the bench, he’s an underrated playmaker who can get guys in the right position and lead the scoring aspect.