2024-25 NBA Season Previews: Denver Nuggets

2024-25 NBA Season Previews: Denver Nuggets

 Next up on our 2024-25 NBA Season previews is the Denver Nuggets. They tip off their season Thursday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

What happened last year?

The title defense was short-lived for the Denver Nuggets. After finishing 57-25 and in second in both the Western Conference and Northwest Division, the Nuggets cruised past the Los Angeles Lakers in five games before blowing a 20-point lead in game seven against the Minnesota Timberwolves to end their season. For the third time in four seasons, Nikola Jokic was named the NBA MVP after he had yet another historic season. 

Offseason Recap

The Nuggets had an interesting offseason. For starters, they lost a key piece in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as he signed with the Orlando Magic. They drafted DaRon Holmes II, who subsequently tore his Achilles in his Summer League debut ruling him out for the entire 2024-25 NBA Season. Denver made two important signings. They signed a true backup center in Dario Šarić and signed former MVP Russell Westbrook. The Nuggets also extended both Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.

Projected Starting 5

PG: Jamal Murray – The Blue Arrow signed a four-year max contract extension this offseason worth $208m keeping him in Denver for a while. Last season he once again spent time out injured, missing 23 games. When healthy he is a great playmaker that controls the backcourt and is the perfect partner for Jokic. A year ago he had career highs in points (21.2), assists (6.5), field goal percentage (48.1%), and three-point percentage (42.5%).  

SG: Christian Braun – The 2024-25 NBA season is going to be a big one for Braun. It will mark his first season as a starter with Caldwell-Pope leaving. The third-year player is going to have big shoes to fill at both ends of the court. He averaged 7.3ppg and 0.5stl while KCP averaged 10.1ppg and 1.3stl. If Braun can live up to the expectations then it just adds another strong player to one of the league’s best starting lineups. 

SF: Michael Porter Jr – For the first time in his NBA career Porter Jr was actually healthy for the entire season. He played 81 of 82 games with a career-high minutes per game of 31.7. His role on this Denver Nuggets team is to be a sharpshooter and contribute on the defensive end. If he stays healthy once again then look out for him to improve on his 16.7ppg last season. 

PF: Aaron Gordon – Just like Murray, Gordon signed a big extension keeping him in Denver until 2028-29. His contract extension is worth $133m. A key part of the defensive side is going to have to step up with the departure of Caldwell-Pope. At 6’8” he is able to guard all five positions, despite being on the smaller side for a power forward. 

C: Nikola Jokic – There is nothing this man cannot do on a basketball court. The reigning MVP continues to make history at the center position. This past season he finished with 26.4ppg, 12.4 reb, 9.0ast, and 1.4stl. Everything that the Nuggets do runs through the big Serbian who is coming off a bronze medal-winning summer at the 2024 Summer Olympics. During the summer he dominated everyone he faced, leading the tournament in total points (113), rebounds (10.7), assists (8.7), and total steals (12).

Notable Reserves

G: Russell Westbrook – Westbrook looked like he was getting used to his bench role with the LA Clippers last year. He will have the same role for the Denver Nuggets. Last year off the bench he averaged 11.1ppg with 4.5ast and 5.0reb.

G: Julian Strawther – Strawther was in contention for the starting shooting guard position which ultimately fell to Braun. Heading into his second season he already looks ready for the increased workload. During preseason he shot 50% from three-point range averaging 18.8ppg including a 33-point performance in the final game.

F: Peyton Waston – Another young player to look out for off the bench is Watson. He has already established himself as a solid defender. He is 6’7” and has freaky athleticism which is why he is so successful at blocking shots. In 80 games last year, Watson had just over one block per game.

C: Dario Šarić – The big thing that the Nuggets have lacked the last few years is a true backup center who can control the play when Jokic is on the bench. Šarić fits the mold as a big that can spread the floor knocking down threes while also passing and rebounding.

Biggest X-Factor: Russell Westbrook

The marquee signing for the Denver Nuggets was that of Russell Westbrook. He is my X-Factor because as the veteran leader off the bench, he will be tasked with leading the very young bench unit. If Westbrook is able to play his game while mentoring the young bucks then there is a good chance we see the Nuggets finally start looking half-decent when Jokic is on the bench. There is also a world where the Westbrook experience fails miserably and that could lead to another year of rough bench minutes. 

2024-25 NBA Season Preview: Miami Heat

Season Projection

The Nuggets had the top record in the West last year but missed out on the one seed because of a tiebreaker. This year I see them staying around the 57-58 win mark. I have them finishing 58- 24 and the number two seed in the West. My playoff prediction is that they fall in the Western Conference Final.

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