Former NBA coach George Karl recently took to Twitter to voice his criticism of the Denver Nuggets’ efforts to surround Nikola Jokic with a championship-caliber roster. In his tweet, Karl expressed disappointment, comparing the Nuggets to the Golden State Warriors and how they built around Stephen Curry. His concern stemmed from the notion that a team with a generational talent like Jokic should capitalize on that player’s greatness, as the Warriors did with Curry.
“When a team has the fortune of landing a generational player, like Curry or Jokic, it should do all it can to capitalize on that player’s greatness – and win as many championships as possible.”
“The Warriors did with Curry. Will the Nuggets with Jokic? It’s shaky right now.”
Karl’s comments echo the sentiments of many Nuggets fans who have been uneasy with the team’s moves over the past couple of offseasons. After winning the championship in 2023, the Nuggets had difficulty defending their title the following season.
The departures of key role players such as Bruce Brown and Jeff Green were seen as major reasons for the team’s struggles in 2024. This offseason, the losses of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson — two critical pieces to the team’s depth — raised further doubts about Denver’s championship potential.
Caldwell-Pope, one of the league’s premier “3-and-D” players, provided invaluable perimeter defense and floor spacing. Reggie Jackson, a solid backup point guard, offered stability off the bench. While the Nuggets did acquire veteran Russell Westbrook, his best years are behind him, and he may not be the ideal fit for a team hoping to maximize Jokic’s championship window.
Karl’s comparison to the Warriors is particularly striking. Golden State built around Curry not only by drafting and developing talent like Klay Thompson and Draymond Green but also by making bold moves in free agency, such as acquiring Kevin Durant in 2016. Durant’s addition, made possible by the unprecedented salary cap spike, cemented the Warriors as a dynasty, with Golden State winning two more titles during Durant’s tenure.
However, as Karl pointed out, the Nuggets have been more hesitant to spend at a similar level. The Warriors have been willing to pay exorbitant luxury tax penalties to maintain a championship roster. In fact, Golden State’s luxury tax bill for the 2024 season is projected to be $176.9 million — the highest in the NBA.
In contrast, Denver’s combined luxury tax bills over the last two seasons are less than $40 million. This disparity in spending may explain why the Nuggets haven’t built a roster as deep as the Warriors did during their dynasty years.
To Karl’s point, maximizing Jokic’s championship window is crucial. Jokic, a three-time MVP and widely regarded as the best player in the world, is the engine of the Nuggets’ success. However, even with the best player in the league, a team needs quality surrounding pieces to contend consistently for titles.
Denver still boasts a strong core with Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon, but their depth has taken a hit. The team’s reluctance to make significant financial commitments or bold moves to surround Jokic with elite talent could cost them in the long run.
It’s also worth noting that despite these concerns, the Nuggets were one-half away from reaching the Western Conference Finals last season. In Game 7 of their second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver had a 20-point lead before a stunning collapse ended their playoff run.
While Karl’s concerns are valid, the Nuggets remain a formidable team in the West. With a few tweaks to their roster and perhaps a more aggressive approach to free agency, Denver could still contend for another title in the Jokic era.
Ultimately, Karl’s criticism underscores the delicate balance that teams face when building around generational talent. Whether the Nuggets can capitalize on Nikola Jokic’s prime will depend on their willingness to spend, make tough decisions, and build a roster capable of competing with the league’s best.
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