Three Things We Learned From Denver Nuggets' Preseason

The Denver Nuggets were a team that had a lot of question marks going into this season. In the 2026 playoffs, they lost to the 6th-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2, even though they were undermanned. 

There were multiple rumors of the Nuggets' front office potentially trading veteran pieces after a disappointing postseason run, but now, they're keeping their same core. 

This preseason, there were three things the Nuggets showed that were very telling as the team enters the regular season. They have their pros and cons, and it will be interesting to see how they can adapt as the regular season continues. 

The first lesson is that the Nuggets' second unit is a massive concern. More specifically, their guard depth could be an issue they run into moving forward. Behind Jamal Murray in this rotation is Tyus Jones, who is coming off an unproductive season, and young guards with limited experience. 

Now, an injury to guard Julian Strawther puts them in a tough situation. They have two young guards in Cam Whitmore and Ryan Nembhard, who are slated to step in help the team while Strawther is out, but Strawther has more continuity with the team. 

The second lesson learned is that Nikola Jokic is still the same player the NBA knows. He made multiple plays in the preseason that indicate he will not skip a beat this season, including a no-look pass to the corner during their game at the University of Colorado Boulder. 

The one constant with the Nuggets in recent history is Nikola Jokic and his consistent MVP-caliber play. If he can continue to play at an elite level, this is a team that can make it far in the postseason once again. 

The third lesson we learned is that the Nuggets are a dangerous team if they are healthy. Jokic is obviously the player who is the driving force, but the rest of the starting lineup is very consistent when healthy. 

All five of the starters are able to coexist because of the way they can play around Jokic, and it ultimately leads to wins. Denver is known to have one of the most well-constructed starting lineups in the NBA, and if they can stay healthy, they will be able to show it against the rest of the league. 

The Nuggets have a big opportunity ahead of them this season, and the only things that can truly hold them back from a deep playoff run are injuries and themselves.