It took longer than usual, but the Nuggets (unofficially) have a full 15-man roster.
The expected addition of former MVP Russell Westbrook seemingly puts a bow on Denver’s 2024 offseason, barring any eventual trades and the anticipated signing of DeAndre Jordan. The loss of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope looms large, but general manager Calvin Booth has attempted to upgrade the bench through free agency, using every bit of roster-building wiggle room at his disposal after the Nuggets avoided the second tax apron by not re-signing Caldwell-Pope.
Their roster payroll does still exceed the first apron, like last season. At around $181.5 million, the Nuggets are limited in some ways (making for another quiet trade deadline, in all likelihood), and they’ll be hard-capped at the second apron ($188.9 million) due to the taxpayer mid-level exception they used to sign Dario Saric. But they’re already familiar enough with the first-apron restrictions, whereas most front offices around the league are regarding the second apron with caution. Nobody can fully comprehend yet how damaging those penalties are to a team’s future, because a long-term example hasn’t unfolded yet. The CBA is still too new. Phoenix seems prepared to accept the role of guinea pig.
That’s all to say, this version of Denver’s roster is probably the final version. So what might the rotation look like during the upcoming 2024-25 season? Let’s take a look.
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Starting five
Second unit
Reserves
Jamal Murray, $36M
Russell Westbrook, $2.1M*
Jalen Pickett, $1.9M
Christian Braun, $3.1M
Julian Strawther, $2.6M
Trey Alexander (two-way)
Michael Porter Jr., $35.9M
Peyton Watson, $2.4M
Hunter Tyson, $1.9M
Aaron Gordon, $22.8M
Vlatko Cancar, $2.1M
Zeke Nnaji, $8.9M
Nikola Jokic, $51.4M
Dario Saric, $5.2M
DeAndre Jordan, $2.1M*/
PJ Hall (two-way)
* Projects Westbrook and Jordan signing veteran minimum contracts | Salary figures courtesy of Spotrac | DaRon Holmes II is on the 15-man roster with a cap hit of $3.1 million, but he is expected to miss the season with an Achilles injury
Guards
The backcourt is probably the thinnest part of this roster, in that shooting guard is the only position where the depth chart literally cannot be completed without a two-way player. Braun’s potential elevation to the starting lineup should be one of the defining storylines of the season as the Nuggets hope to replace, if not entirely replicate, KCP’s defensive impact and offensive fit. Can Braun take the next step? Can Strawther diversify his game while also refining his 3-point shot after getting phased out of the rotation last season? Perimeter productivity will be essential for these rookie scale contract players in increased roles. After a strong Summer League performance, Alexander also seems like a candidate to encroach on some backup minutes as a combo guard.
Then there’s Westbrook, whose presence in Denver will surely pique national curiosity surrounding this team. Will that cause a distraction or a jolt of energy in the locker room? Westbrook generally needs the ball in his hands to be most effective, so it’s easier to envision him leading the second unit than initiating offense in lineups featuring both Murray and Jokic (though Murray can comfortably operate as a two-guard). Still, considering Michael Malone’s preference for staggering Murray with the bench, there should be opportunities for Westbrook to develop two-man chemistry with Jokic. That would be a nimble variable to make use of during the playoffs. In 2024, Denver didn’t have that with Reggie Jackson, whose minutes dropped significantly after the regular season.
Wings
One beneficial ripple effect of Denver’s offseason moves: Even after Holmes’ injury, the increase in frontcourt flexibility should allow Watson to play the three, a more natural position for him. Versatility is always encouraged in young players, so his training at the four last season wasn’t a waste. But offensively, he’s probably better-suited to continue his development as a rangy small forward. His 3-pointer showed signs last season that it could be a weapon for him. Same with his pull-up midrange shot. There’s plenty for him to explore next season away from the dunker spot.
Bottom line on the wing: If the Nuggets can get 70 or more games from Porter again, they should be in a favorable place in the Western Conference.
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Bigs
Saric, Gordon, Nnaji and Jordan are all capable of playing the five behind Jokic. (Holmes was supposed to be able to as well, but now maybe there’s a chance Nuggets fans see more of Hall instead.) Ideally for Denver, Saric will be well-worth the taxpayer mid-level exception, potentially sparing Gordon from his dual identity in the playoffs and allowing him to expend his energy the way he does best, as Jokic’s partner at power forward.
Saric can shape-shift and share the floor with other centers as well, adding a dimension to Malone’s options. Does he make sense as a Jokic partner? Would that clear more minutes for Nnaji at backup center? The Holmes loss stings because he could have doubled as a bench five while also supplying arguably the best defensive profile to fit with Jokic.
Cancar’s opportunity also seems likely to increase after the rookie’s injury, but he struggled to shoot the ball at Slovenia’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament this summer. Backup four could end up being another potential weak spot where Nnaji could earn minutes.