Key Takeaways The Nuggets lost a key starter in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and added former MVP Russell Westbrook in the off-season.
Christian Braun is expected to fill Caldwell-Pope’s shoes as the starting shooting guard.
Denver’s depth relies on young players stepping up.
After winning their first NBA championship in 2023, the Denver Nuggets suffered an earlier-than-expected playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round this past season.
For a while, it looked like the Nuggets would cruise their way back to the Western Conference Finals when they went up by 20 points in Game 7 versus Minnesota. But Denver experienced a massive meltdown in the second half as the Timberwolves stormed their way back and dethroned the then-defending champions in their own building.
With that gutting defeat, the Nuggets will look to avenge a disappointing campaign and get back the title they failed to defend. With Nikola Jokic, who remains widely regarded as the best player in the world, leading the team, Denver is still one of the top contenders in the NBA.
However, they are no longer perceived as the untouchable and dominant force that cruised through the playoffs and reached the summit just two years ago.
With the 2024-25 season just right around the corner, here is a preview of the Denver Nuggets’ 2024-25 NBA season.
Denver Nuggets Offseason Recap
Nuggets lost a key piece this summer
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For the second straight offseason, the Nuggets lost a key piece of their championship core. Last year, it was Bruce Brown and Jeff Green. This year, starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signed with the Orlando Magic in free agency.
Losing Caldwell-Pope was gutting for the Nuggets. The 3-and-D guard played a vital role as Denver’s primary perimeter defender and was the perfect complementary piece offensively with his efficiency from beyond the arc. In his two seasons with the Nuggets, Caldwell-Pope shot 41.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Denver also lost Reggie Jackson, whom the team traded to the Charlotte Hornets along with three second round picks, in what was essentially a salary dump. They also opted not to bring back veteran guard Justin Holiday, who appeared in 58 games and averaged nearly 15 minutes a night.
The Nuggets did replenish their backcourt depth by claiming former league MVP Russell Westbrook off waivers. Westbrook was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers and now has a chance to win a championship playing as the backup point guard in Denver.
Denver also added veteran big man Dario Saric, who played with the Golden State Warriors last season. Saric, who is a capable passer and floor-spacer, provides the Nuggets with a serviceable backup for Nikola Jokić.
The Nuggets also selected DaRon Holmes II with the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Holmes was expected to play right away, but he tore his Achilles during his Summer League debut and has now been ruled out for the 2024-25 season.
Denver also made a key extension by signing star point guard Jamal Murray to a massive deal that will keep him in Denver for the long haul.
Denver Nuggets Offseason Summary Extensions Signed Jamal Murray to 4-yr, $207M extension Additions Russell Westbrook (free agency via waivers) Dario Saric (free agency) DaRon Holmes II (Drafted 22nd overall) Subtractions Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (signed with Magic) Reggie Jackson (traded) Justin Holiday (free agent) Collin Gillespie (signed with Suns) Retentions Deandre Jordan Vlatko Cancar
The Nuggets’ core four is still intact with Jokic, Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon still in tow. But what does Denver’s depth look like?
Denver Nuggets Projected Depth Chart
A lot of young wildcards on the Nuggets roster
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Denver Nuggets Projected Depth Chart PG SG SF PF C Jamal Murray Christian Braun Michael Porter Jr. Aaron Gordon Nikola Jokić Russell Westbrook Julian Strawther Peyton Watson Vlatko Cancar Dario Saric Jalen Pickett Hunter Tyson Zeke Nnaji DaRon Holmes Deandre Jordan
Key Storylines
Is Christian Braun ready for a starting role?
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With Caldwell-Pope departing, Christian Braun is slated to start for the Nuggets at shooting guard this season.
Braun stepped into the Bruce Brown role last year after he showed promise in his rookie season, especially in the playoffs. He had a standout performance in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, where he scored 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting in 19 minutes off the bench.
That game gave the Nuggets a good indication that he’s ready to step into a consistent role for them the following year — which he did. He appeared in all 82 games this past season, averaging 7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in just over 20 minutes off the bench.
Christian Braun Career Stats Category 2022-23 2023-24 MPG 15.5 20.2 PPG 4.7 7.3 RPG 2.4 3.7 FG% 49.5% 46.0 3P% 35.4% 38.4% 3PA/G 1.3 2.0
With Caldwell-Pope leaving the starting shooting guard spot open, Braun is getting an upgrade once again. He’s certainly capable of filling in that slot due to his energy and hustle. He’ll need to show improvement, especially in his outside shooting, to help keep the Nuggets true contenders in the West.
He also improved as a three-point shooter last season, going from 35.4 percent in his rookie year to 38.4 percent in 2023-24. But he didn’t shoot with enough volume to be considered a consistent threat from beyond the arc.
Will any of Denver’s young players step up?
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Just looking at the Nuggets’ depth chart, this team has questionable depth, to say the least, entering the 2024-25 season. Denver had one of the deepest rosters in the NBA just a couple of years ago when it won the NBA championship.
But these past two summers have gutted the team’s depth. Three veterans left within the span of two years. As such, more than ever, the Nuggets are now banking on their myriad of young guys to make a jump this year.
Peyton Watson had a bit of a leap, playing 18 minutes per game during the regular season. Will he be able to step into a larger role this year with Braun upgrading to the starting five?
Can Zeke Nnaji, Julian Strawther, or Jalen Pickett become consistent contributors at the NBA-level? The Nuggets will need at least one of them to step up.
Is Michael Malone’s job in danger?
Just last season, Michael Malone was on top of the world. The Nuggets coach was confidently clamoring for a repeat during Denver’s championship parade in June 2023.
Fast-forward to 16 months later, there may be some cracks forming between Malone and the Nuggets’ relationship. ESPN’s Zach Lowe mentioned on his podcast, The Lowe Post, that there are