NBA: Finals-Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets
June 1, 2023; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) shoots the basketball during the fourth quarter in game one of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Michael Porter Jr. and the Denver Nuggets were on top of the world after winning the NBA championship in 2023. However, their hopes of putting together a dynasty ended after they moved on from a crucial role player.
Denver finally reached the mountaintop to win its first championship in franchise history. In the 2023 playoffs, they took down the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Miami Heat to win the title. Porter was on that squad as a starter, assisting Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to get past the finish line.
Denver boasted a talented squad that had the potential to pull off a title repeat. However, that was unsuccessful after they lost to the Timberwolves in seven games during the 2024 West Semifinals. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who played a key role as a perimeter shooter and defender, left the team as he signed with the Orlando Magic. During an episode of the Curious Mike podcast, Porter cited Denver’s decision to let Caldwell-Pope walk started the team’s fall from glory.
“I don’t know why they let KCP go. That was the beginning of our downfall. Tim Conley kind of built Minnesota to try to beat us with the two bigs, because then you put KAT on Joker and you let Rudy kind of roam. So they kind of built that team to try to beat us, and they got us in Game 7. So then they let us run it back another year, and that’s when we lost to OKC in Game 7. That’s when I got hurt. I was wearing the pad on my shoulder. My shoulder was like dislocated and stuff, and we lost to OKC Game Seven,” said Porter, who is now the star for the Brooklyn Nets.
“We lose, and I played the worst, so I’m like, ‘okay, I’m the one that’s probably gonna get shipped out,’ and then they ship me out. Then obviously, Peyton Watson just got traded too. It’s like slowly, but they still gonna be called as long as you got Joker, Jamal, AG, and [DeMar DeRozan]’s over there. Cam’s obviously a good player. I mean, this is good, but like we had some camaraderie.”
Michael Porter Jr. on the Nuggets:
“I don't know why they let KCP go. That was the beginning of our downfall.”
(via Curious Mike / YT) pic.twitter.com/GT5HV26sgL
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 25, 2026
What Lies Ahead for Nuggets Next Season
NBA: Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets
Apr 6, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) and center Nikola Jokic (15) in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Barring injuries, the Nuggets will remain playoff contenders with the ceiling of making another title run with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. However, it will require a strong supporting cast for them to return to the top once again.
Denver performed well in the 2025-26 regular season, finishing with a 54-28 record. They finished at third place in the Western Conference standings, being above the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets while being under the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, they suffered a stunning first-round exit after losing to the Timberwolves in six games.
Denver made tweaks to the roster this summer, moving on from Peyton Watson by trading him to the Cleveland Cavaliers. They added DeMar DeRozan from free agency, preparing for what could be a pivotal 2026-27 campaign for the franchise.