Nuggets offseason outlook: Denver needs to act now to stop wasting Nikola Jokić's prime
NBA observers reacted harshly to the Nuggets' decision to let go of head coach Mike Malone with three games remaining in the season, primarily because such a path had never really been taken before.
Sure, coaches have been fired late in seasons, but that's primarily been from teams that were going nowhere or in need of a fresh start.
Advertisement
But these are the Nuggets. The team with the best player in the universe that won the title less than two years ago. How could such a decision make sense?
Well, the Nuggets not only won a Game 7 against a very deep and potent Clippers team, they also took the 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the second round, proving once and for all that we're all winging it in every walk of life, and perhaps a coaching change 79 games into the regular season actually made some semblance of sense.
Who knew?
That said, the organization has a list of to-do items heading into the offseason. The Nuggets also decided to move on from general manager Calvin Booth when parting with Malone, so replacing Booth is priority No. 1.
Advertisement
Who is going to lead the org? We should find out soon enough, as you have to assume such a hire would be involved with the draft process and the start of free agency.
Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon watch the fourth quarter during the Oklahoma City Thunder's Game 7 rout on Sunday. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
(AAron Ontiveroz via Getty Images)
And what about the coaching situation? With the way interim coach David Adelman has guided the Nuggets in the postseason, you would think he has the inside track.
After that come the roster questions. It's time for Nikola Jokić to have an All-Star running mate, which he's never had before, and the team is painfully aware of it.
Huge contracts are still on the books for Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., so navigating those waters could prove complicated, unless one of them is relocated via trade.
Advertisement
That presents its own set of challenges as Murray remains inconsistent, and Porter a potential liability due to three back surgeries, although he has proved to be plenty available in recent years despite being bothered by a balky shoulder during the postseason.
Whatever the course of action, everyone seems to be on the same page in regard to one overarching ideology: This team can't do nothing and think that's enough. This current iteration of the Denver Nuggets should be done for.
2024-25 finish
Record: 50-32, fourth in the Western Conference. Lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games in the second round.
Highlight of the season
The Aaron Gordon buzzer-beater dunk against the Clippers in Game 4 of the first round. Even after 50-plus viewings, his timing is simply remarkable. To jump at the right time and have the presence of mind to be aware of where the ball is in regard to the cylinder at that stage in the game ... just whoa.
Players signed for next season
Nikola Jokić
Jamal Murray
Michael Porter Jr.
Aaron Gordon
Zeke Nnaji
Christian Braun
DaRon Holmes
Julian Strawther
Peyton Watson
Jalen Pickett
Hunter Tyson
Key free agents
DeAndre Jordan (UFA)
Russell Westbrook (player option)
Projected salary
$190,585,496
Draft picks
None
Advertisement
Draft focus: Should the Nuggets trade into the draft, identifying a wing with ball-handling capabilities would be prudent.
Given the current salary commitment, the team is expected to be over the first apron, and that's before Šarić likely opts in for over $5.4 million, which could bring Denver over the second apron. Essentially, the Nuggets don't have money, and any exception would be supremely difficult to fit into the current roster. However, if they do conduct several trades and take back less money, perhaps they can find enough room to spend a little.
Needs and goals
The goal remains the same, which is to win another title and not waste the prime of one of the best basketball players to ever take the court. The recipe to do that isn't straightforward, and the Nuggets' overall lack of attractive assets make any roster changes difficult. However, that is the goal in front of them, meaning their immediate need is a plan, which won't be developed until they've found someone to take over basketball operations. The Nuggets are short on time.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
33 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Springs leads Athletics to 5-1 win over Guardians
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jeffrey Springs allowed three hits in a season-high 7 1/3 innings, rookie Nick Kurtz homered for a third straight game and the Athletics beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-1 on Friday night. Springs (6-5) struck out six and walked one, throwing 104 pitches for his first win since May 13. He left with a 4-1 lead after giving up Angel Martínez's homer.
Washington Post
33 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Bayern Munich advances in the Club World Cup with 2-1 win over Boca Juniors
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Michael Olise fired Bayern Munich into the knockout stages of the Club World Cup, scoring in the 84th minute for a 2-1 win over Boca Juniors on Friday night. German champion Bayern made it two wins in Group C and advanced to the round of 16 with a game to spare. Olise secured the victory at Hard Rock Stadium after Miguel Merentiel had put Boca in position for a draw with a brilliant solo goal in the 66th. Bayern, which tops the group, took the lead on Harry Kane's clinical finish in the 18th and went on to miss of a slew of chances before Merentiel's equalizer. South American teams had been unbeaten in their first nine games of this expanded Club World Cup. Bayern looked like it would be held until Olise's cool finish. Collecting Kane's layoff inside the box, the forward curled a powerful first-time effort low into the bottom corner. Bayern has the luxury of resting players for its final group game against second-place Benfica on Tuesday, which could be bad news for Boca. Argentine giant Boca, which plays Auckland City, needs Bayern to beat Benfica to have any chance of advancing to the next round. 'We knew it wasn't going to be easy, we knew we were coming into a hostile environment, hot weather, it was tough. It's a massive tournament. We are playing against the best teams in the world. We just have to compete to our highest level and we should be able to beat most teams.' — Kane. 'We have to find a way (to advance). A draw would've been great but it's up to us to compete and do our best and I would not be surprised if that happened.' — Boca Juniors coach Miguel Angel Russo. ___ James Robson is at ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Springs leads Athletics to 5-1 win over Guardians
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martínez, left, turns a double play after getting Athletics' Lawrence Butler (4) out during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 20, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis) Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz, front right, forces out Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez (11) during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 20, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis) Athletics' Nick Kurtz hits a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 20, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis) Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs throws to the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 20, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis) Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs throws to the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 20, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis) Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martínez, left, turns a double play after getting Athletics' Lawrence Butler (4) out during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 20, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis) Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz, front right, forces out Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez (11) during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 20, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis) Athletics' Nick Kurtz hits a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 20, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis) Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs throws to the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 20, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis) WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Jeffrey Springs allowed three hits in a season-high 7 1/3 innings, rookie Nick Kurtz homered for a third straight game and the Athletics beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-1 on Friday night. Springs (6-5) struck out six and walked one, throwing 104 pitches for his first win since May 13. He left with a 4-1 lead after giving up Angel Martínez's homer. Advertisement Kurtz followed a two-out single by Brent Rooker with his 10th home run — a 406-foot shot to left-center field — to give the Athletics the lead against Guardians starter Tanner Bibee (4-7). Tyler Soderstrom singled leading off the second and two straight fielding errors by José Ramírez at third loaded the bases. Lawrence Butler singled for a 3-0 lead. Wilson had a two-out RBI single for a 4-0 lead in the seventh. Soderstrom singled with two outs in the eighth, stole his fifth base and scored on Luis Urías' single for the final run. Michael Kelly got the final two outs in the eighth and Mason Miller pitched the ninth, closing out the four-hitter with help from another dazzling catch by Denzel Clarke. Advertisement Bibee allowed five runs — four earned — on 11 hits with season highs of eight innings and 10 strikeouts. The Athletics have won six of their last eight. Key moment Cleveland never recovered after Kurtz homered for the fifth time in his last six games and the ninth time in his last 15. Key stat Kurtz, who played his first game on April 23, is the only player to hit four home runs in the ninth inning or later in a five-game span of a single season. He is one of five players age 22 or younger to hit two walk-off homers in a calendar month. Up next Guardians RHP L.L. Ortiz (3-8, 4.64 ERA) starts Saturday opposite Athletics RHP Mitch Spence (2-1, 3.50). ___ AP MLB:
