NBA preview: Northwest Division
For all transactions, view the Northwest Division offseason roundup.
DENVER NUGGETS
Coach: David Adelman (57-28 with Denver).
2025-26: 54-28, lost 4-2 in opening round to Minnesota.
C: Nikola Jokic – season hinges on his ability to make himself useful defensively, something he's capable of (to a championship degree) but slipped out of in 2025-26. If his teammates return to prominence, Jokic must return to giving average consideration to the other side of the ball. He deserved a year off last year, I get it, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the other campaigns in spite of Denver's top offensive ranking. I need Full Nikola back, peak serotonin level for all viewers.
PF: Aaron Gordon – painful to watch last season but his Old Man W/ One Leg-production was sublime. He barely turned it over and made shots, crushed on the defensive glass and had his shot blocked as often as he did during his rookie year, when Gordon shared the court with Luke Ridnour and Mavs assistant coach Willie Green.
SF: Cameron Johnson – 43 percent mark from deep was everything we asked for, helped make Denver the most-efficient offense in the NBA. The Nuggets would gladly trade 40 percent from deep over 75 appearances but Johnson's missed at least six games a year since the start, 157 contests (out of 551) over seven seasons.
SG: Christian Braun – sad part is that a bounceback season may not be enough, happy part is that we should expect and witness the best season of Braun's career. Even if he only tops out at average three-point shooting, even if he still isn't the answer. Even if, holy lord, that contract.
PG: Jamal Murray – healthy group means less to do for Murray, who should benefit from greater ballhandlers off the bench. Hate to say "no, thank you" to what he gave the Nuggets in 2025-26 (75 games, 25 points and seven assists on 48/43/89, 2.3 turnovers in 35 minutes for the league's best offense), but Jamal Murray has enough bounce to push a team to 16 playoff wins, we gotta protect that. He needs to do less in the regular season, but in favor of whom?
RJ Nembhard Jr. is a strong backup's backup ... Tyus Jones is still a little hit or miss on layups but he still runs a good play during a short shot clock. Tyus is actually Tyus Jones Sr., or Tyus the First, as his son Tyus Jr. was born in 2020.
On board with the idea of post-rehab, post-weight room, already-24, on-board DaRon Holmes II playing well for the Nuggets this season. His stats were whatever in 2025-26 but he looked fine, passable, midseason when Denver started him a few times. Ever seen someone completely overwhelmed but just sorta handling it?
Marvin Bagley III developed into a nice career as A Christian Wood One Can Live With. He scores with ease and I don't mind watching him because what do I care if the Wizards are bad at defense? How does it hurt me when Dallas' transition coverage stinks? The guy had 87 dunks last season.
Lonnie Walker IV's midrange pullup game is also fun, it would be a wonderful world if Lonnie was the reason Denver made a run with what we all consider a limited roster.
The team boasts a Jr., Sr., II, III, and IV.
