The league is still in championship shuffle phase. Since the Golden State Warriors’ victories in 2017 and 2018, no team has won consecutive championships.
Despite Jamal Murray missing 23 games, the Nuggets had a successful year. Michael Porter Jr., who has been renowned for missing time due to back problems throughout his career, appeared in 81 games. Jokić, Aaron Gordon, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have all played more than 70 games, a significant accomplishment in today’s NBA.’
The Nuggets helped themselves by opening the door to their younger players and managing the minutes of their starters (only Jokić played more than 32 minutes per game), laying the foundation for how they wish to operate moving forward.
Peyton Watson, Christian Braun, and even Julian Strawther played more than 4,000 minutes this season. That level of youth investment is unusual for reigning champs, but the Nuggets understand the importance of maintaining and developing depth. With the Milwaukee Bucks serving as a frightening example of a club that grew too old and thin on the bench after winning the title, the Nuggets are seeking to plan for the future and lengthen their competitive window.
