Can Nikola Jokic rise against the odds? Since winning an NBA championship in 2023, the Denver Nuggets have undergone changes. Though most of the nucleus is still there, the Mile-High City will miss having Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell Pope as important players. The Nuggets were eliminated from the playoffs in a fierce seven-game series against the Timberwolves, and Brown’s absence was noticed very immediately the previous season.
Former Wizards player Gilbert Arenas discussed the Nuggets on his podcast, expressing his displeasure with Jokic’s lack of shooting backup. Arenas said : “We bring in Westbrook, who is he passing to? Where’s my shooters at? A team like that needs shooters. For Jokic to be Jokic we don’t need people sitting in the lane,”
In spite of their efforts to change course and bring in new players, the Nuggets have lagged behind. Denver has only lost significant players, while the rest of the league is becoming better—a point Arenas makes. He added : “I am concerned a little bit… As champs from two years ago, they didn’t get better last year and they lost some key pieces this year,”
Over the last two seasons, the Nuggets have lost a number of key players to injury. After losing to the Indiana Pacers in 2023, Caldwell-Pope signed a free agent contract with the Orlando Magic this offseason. There has been a decline in shooters as a result, which may have serious repercussions. Over the last five seasons, Caldwell-Pope has shot three points above average. He made 4.1 attempts a game and shot 40.6 percent from three this past season.
Denver is relying on players like Christian Braun and Julian Strawther to make a much-needed breakthrough because they were unable to replace him.
