Should Nuggets be Content with New-Look Roster for 2026-2027 Season?

This offseason, the Denver Nuggets were limited in what they could do in terms of making additions to their roster because of their salary cap situation. This was a team that was rumored to make big offseason moves after their first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2026 playoffs, but they decided to stay put with their core.  

The moves the Nuggets made featured veteran players being brought to the team. Their biggest addition was small forward DeMar DeRozan, who spent last season with the Sacramento Kings and was their leading scorer. 

Now, with Denver, DeRozan may be coming off the bench to replace valuable production after the team traded away Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade. Watson emerged as the top young player on this Nuggets roster last season, but after both parties could not agree to a long-term deal, he was dealt for future assets.  

The Nuggets also dealt with some bad injury luck last season as well. Forward Aaron Gordon missed an extended period of time due to hamstring and calf issues, but now, with a full offseason under his belt, this could be the season he finds his form with the Nuggets. 

Gordon is one of the most valuable pieces on the roster. While he's known for his high-flying ability, he is a very capable defender who can also spread the floor and get rebounds. Once the Nuggets added him, it became clear he fit right into their system and could coexist with Nikola Jokic. 

Having Gordon back at full strength will help them a lot, and Jokic will need all the help he can get from his supporting cast this season. One player who will have to step up his play is guard Christian Braun. With the franchise deciding to keep him on the roster and potentially playing a starting role, it's clear the coaching staff his faith in him. 

Last season, he struggled to shoot the ball, as he only shot 30.1 percent from three-point range. Denver cannot afford Braun to be a liability from distance much longer, and it will be important for him to spread the floor in 2026-2027. 

Overall, the clear goal for the Denver Nuggets is to win a championship. This is a team that will always have an opportunity to do so as long as they have Nikola Jokic on the roster, but if the supporting cast cannot hold up, they will not make it very far again. The front office should be content, but also wary of who steps up and who doesn't.