The Nuggets saw their entire season unravel quickly on Sunday as the Thunder went on a run, and it was over before you could blink. OKC was great and tightened the clamps to a level Denver wasn’t able to match, as they turned Game 7 into a rout, but the takeaway for the Nuggets was clear: the roster around Nikola Jokic simply isn’t good enough.
Sure, they can make excuses about injuries to Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr., they can bemoan the lack of chances for Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther, they can argue that a full offseason with David Adelman running the show will get this team on track. But the reality of the situation is that the team doesn’t have the talent to win a title right now.
Jokic is playing at the peak of his powers and dominating the league, but that won’t go on forever. The time to strike is now, and the new front office needs to capitalize on the short window that still remains around the 30-year-old three-time MVP.
Drastic roster changes needed this offseason
This means starting right after Jokic, and not stopping. Everything needs to be examined under a microscope, and the organization has to do whatever is best moving forward, even if that means tough decisions related to franchise mainstays.
Michael Porter Jr. is a clear trade candidate with his big salary and inconsistent play. He may not hold much value, but it’s paramount that the Nuggets flip him for a few role players, or as part of a package for a true star.
All of the young players will likely be in play, even including Christian Braun. Braun was great, but he’ll be up for an extension soon, and is one of the few young players who could actually hold value on the trade market.
Watson, Strawther, Jalen Pickett, Zeke Nnaji, and every other young player on the roster are fair game, and if a team is willing to offer guys who can help the team win now, Denver has to consider it.
Murray and Gordon may even be on the table
The situation is so drastic that even Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon won’t be safe. They are obviously legendary Nuggets, but at this point in their careers, they may not be viable number two and three options on a contender going forward.
They both just agreed to massive contract extensions and are good enough to fetch fair value in the market. The Nuggets may look to go big game hunting this offseason, and that means blowing up the “core 4”, and not just MPJ.
With the way this season went, everything is in play. It may not be pretty, and it definitely won’t be easy, but if it leads to another championship in Denver, it will all be worth it.