The Denver Nuggets’ recent championship run put them on top of the NBA world in the 2022-23 season. With stars like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, they were among the favorites to claim the 2024 NBA title. However, the odds have shifted, and now they’re looking at a distant fifth-place standing for the upcoming season. So, what needs to happen for Denver’s Young Guns to step up and turn the Nuggets from underdogs back into top dogs in the race for the title?
Why Denver’s Young Guns Must Save the Season
1. Young Blood Needs to Step Up
Let’s face it: the Nuggets are attempting to walk a tightrope that the Warriors stumbled over—balancing a win-now mentality with developing young talent. Allowing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to leave in free agency only highlighted this gamble. With just seven players on the roster boasting five or more years of experience, the team is teetering on the edge. If the Nuggets aim to reclaim their throne, they need their young guns—think Christian Braun and Peyton Watson—to make a significant leap. Without this, their dreams could collapse like a house of cards.
2. Jamal Murray Must Stay in the Game
The last time Jamal Murray was truly healthy, the Nuggets were lifting a championship trophy. His performance as an elite second option, averaging 26.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists, was pivotal. But in the latest postseason, it was painfully obvious that Murray was off his game. His injury woes began before the playoffs even started and escalated in Game Four of the first round, where a calf strain sidelined him. Consequently, he delivered his worst postseason ever, with career lows across the board—points, rebounds, and shooting percentages.
The struggles didn’t end there. At the Olympics, Murray was among Team Canada’s least impressive players. Yet, the Nuggets believe in his bounce-back potential, offering him a max contract extension. If Murray can stay fit and deliver a healthy run throughout the postseason, the Nuggets’ chances at another title improve dramatically. Can he be the comeback kid?
3. A Steady Third Scorer Is Essential
The Jokic-led Nuggets have never truly had or needed a clear third offensive option. Some nights it’s Aaron Gordon, other nights it’s Michael Porter Jr., and occasionally, a surprise like Reggie Jackson emerges. However, against the Timberwolves, the absence of a consistent third scorer was glaring. Michael Porter Jr. was practically invisible in the last four games of that series, combining for a mere 25 points. While Aaron Gordon showed flashes of brilliance, he too disappeared when it mattered, scoring just four points in Game Seven. The Nuggets need either Gordon or Porter Jr. to step up and provide consistent offensive support if they want to hang with the league’s elite.
With Nikola Jokic in his prime, the Nuggets are always in the conversation for the NBA crown. Yet, the Western Conference is getting fiercer, and there are titans in the East like the Celtics and Bucks. If the Nuggets want to scale the mountain again, they must solidify their young core, keep Murray healthy, and establish a reliable third scorer. Will these changes be enough, or are the Nuggets destined for a fall from grace?
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