The Denver Nuggets have pulled out all the stops this offseason, reshaping their roster with urgency around their superstar Nikola Jokic. They swapped Michael Porter Jr. (plus a 2032 first-round pick) to Brooklyn for forward Cameron Johnson, improving their perimeter defense without sacrificing offensive punch.
The move created the financial buffer to bring back familiar faces like Bruce Brown and add long-range shooting with Tim Hardaway Jr., both on team-friendly one-year deals that focus on versatility and veteran presence. Meanwhile, the low-post rotation got an upgrade in Jonas Valanciunas, acquired from Sacramento, solidifying what was once a notably thin bench.
It’s no exaggeration to say that title predictions have surged since Denver has bet big and acquired depth to match Jokic’s brilliance. Still, is the roster truly devoid of major weaknesses, or does underlying issues in recent seasons remain?
Some questions linger: can the bench consistently produce playoff-level output? Are there gaps in perimeter defense or frontcourt flexibility? Let’s dive into how the Nuggets look heading into 2025-26 to find out.
Starting Lineup
Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic
Jamal Murray remains the offensive star beside Jokic, delivering a robust 21.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game during the 2024-25 regular season. His high usage and consistent efficiency, shooting 47.4% from the floor, make him Denver’s go-to scoring lifeline.
Christian Braun, while not quite at an All-Star level, offered dependable two-way minutes. He posted 15.4 PPG, with respectable efficiency over a steady 33.9 minutes per game. A brand-new addition, Cam Johnson, brings not just space on the floor, but defensive tenacity and sharpshooting to replace and likely improve upon Porter Jr.
Aaron Gordon reprised his role as a highly capable do-it-all wing. He averaged 14.7 PPG with efficient shooting (43.6% 3-PT FG) and rebound support, numbers that helped solidify second-unit floor balance.
And of course, Nikola Jokic is the gravitational center. In 2024-25, he posted MVP-caliber stats with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, anchoring both ends of the court with unmatched versatility. There isn’t a better player in the world than Jokic right now, and he completed a starting lineup that is easily top-5 in the NBA.
Bench
Julian Strawther, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., Peyton Watson, DaRon Holmes, Zeke Nnaji, Jonas Valanciunas
The key signing: Bruce Brown returns to Denver after re-signing in the offseason. While stats from his brief 2024-25 play outside Denver (in Toronto/New Orleans) suggest output in the 8-9 point range, his championship experience and defensive credibility could pay dividends.
Julian Strawther, a promising young wing, logged 9.0 points per game in limited minutes last year, potentially primed for a larger scoring punch as his role expands. The same goes for Peyton Watson, another multi-positional youngster, who showed flashes across 8.1 PPG off the bench, and his defensive upside and energy make him a sleeper rotation asset.
DaRon Holmes II, Zeke Nnaji, and Jonas Valanciunas round out the frontcourt depth. Valanciunas, fresh off a trade from Sacramento, injects veteran rim presence and physicality into a bench that has desperately lacked low-post toughness.
We are very impressed with the Valanciunas pickup because the Nuggets experienced a major drop-off when Jokic exited the game, and that will now be greatly minimized. We are unsure about their playmaking when Jamal Murray and Jokic rest, but there is enough to be pleased about when looking at the bench.
Roster Strengths
Denver’s starting five reads like a built-in offense: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic. Last season, Murray delivered a potent 21.4 points per game while logging 36.1 minutes, and Christian Braun added 15.4 PPG across 33.9 MPG, powerhouses in their own right. This offensive core, led by Jokic’s triple-double ability, gives the Nuggets both scoring versatility and playmaking prowess.
What truly elevates this roster is the infusion of seasoned wing defenders. Cam Johnson brings perimeter defense and floor spacing, while Gordon’s postseason heroics, like his game-winning plays and clutch threes, have proven invaluable. Their arrival rounds out the rotation with veterans capable of stepping up in high-pressure moments, offering renewed breathing room for starter minutes and late-game matchups.
On the wings and the bench, depth is much stronger than in recent seasons. Julian Strawther, DaRon Holmes, Zeke Nnaji, and standout reinforcement Jonas Valancinas now anchor a low-post rotation far sturdier than the one that sputtered in previous postseason rosters. This layer of heft and experience gives Denver a defense that can withstand bruising inside and a bench that’s suddenly no longer an afterthought.
Key Weaknesses And Concerns
Despite the upgrades, a few cracks are remaining in Denver’s armor. The bench, while enriched, still lacks a true secondary creator when Jokic or Murray rests. The failure to acquire someone like Chris Paul, who reportedly could have boosted veteran backcourt leadership, leaves questions about ball-handling and late-clock execution.
Denver also continues to wrestle with salary cap constraints, potentially limiting in-season flexibility. Notably, a trade involving Michael Porter Jr. was crucial for acquiring Cam Johnson, and the long-term financial burden of this core could force tough decisions if injuries pile up.
A new head coach and interim general manager at the helm, following the firings of Michael Malone and Calvin Booth, bring both opportunity and instability. While fresh eyes can inject innovation, abrupt leadership changes raise concerns, because is David Ademan ready to be a championship coach?
Denver Nuggets Will Be A Major Title-Contender In 2025-26
Let’s be clear: Denver’s roster is a force to be reckoned with. They’ve taken massive swings at perimeter defense, spacing, and frontcourt additions, addressing issues from their playoff exits. With Jokic anchored at the helm and a deeper group feeding off his brilliance, this squad looks built for an 82-game regular season and the playoffs.
Contributors like Gordon, Johnson, and Valanciunas bring poise and toughness, which distinguish contenders from pretenders when the calendar turns to May. Their capacity to withstand physicality and shift roles seamlessly under pressure gives the Nuggets toughness and talent that they didn’t have before.
Even with management changes, Denver’s postseason ceiling seems more impressive than ever. Bouncing back from past semifinal defeats, this squad captures both the star power and complementary support essential for a deep run. If health holds and rotations work, the Nuggets can legitimately win an NBA championship around the league’s best player.
