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.
MPJ is the cancer of Nuggets. He is having a huge salary for a glass cannon performance depending on his move. He should be traded long time ago yet Nuggets still wait for many years for they decided to release him.
They can get a lot of good players on his salary including their weak bench if MPJ was traded which they did already this year.
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.
OKC secure their core team long term contracts. I believe their dominance on the league will always be there now that they have championship experience.