The Denver Nuggets have the seventh-best odds to win the title in the 2025-26 season and the fifth-best amongst Western Conference teams. ~Sports Illustrated
Just a couple years ago Denver looked ready to win several championships. Are they in position to be a real contender this year?
They already traded Michael Porter Jr., so I guess they are ready to rebuild and surround Jokic with new players for another title shot. Cam Johnson is a shooter and also a good defender, and is almost the same as MPJ. But I think the reason behind the trade is MPJ being an injury-prone player, and with a healthy Jokic, they need players who could also play almost the whole season.
Then, they now have Jonas Valanciunas for more resting time for Jokic. I think they are still in a good position for a playoff spot, but the young guns of the OKC Thunder are still scary.
Oh I thought that Jonas Valanciunas is going to play in Europe as earlier there were reports that a Greek team has offered him a good contract, more than the Nuggets have offered to him. But it looks like his is going to honor the deal with the Nuggets so we will see him as the back up center for Jokic now. As for MPJ, yeah, it seems that they will not missed him as they have a replacement that has a similar playing style of him, Cam Johnson, with added bonus, as he can play defense as well. So in paper it looks like the Nuggets might go and run for another ring this season. And before we forget, they don't have their old coach so it's like a total reset for them in the upcoming year.