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Denver Nuggets: A blueprint for success in 2021-22

By Dennis Smith

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets accepts the 2021 NBA MVP award before Game 3 of the Western Conference second-round playoff series. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets accepts the 2021 NBA MVP award before Game 3 of the Western Conference second-round playoff series. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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Zeke Nnaji of the Denver Nuggets warms up prior to the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
Zeke Nnaji of the Denver Nuggets warms up prior to the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Denver Nuggets offseason plan: Continue to develop young players

Perhaps the most important thing for next season will still be the development of their young players. This has been the case for the past several years and this offseason will be no different. This past year was a huge experience for Michael Porter Jr and he will attack this offseason looking to keep improving his game.

There’s quite a bit on MPJ’s shoulders without Jamal Murray, everyone is looking for him to take over and score when Nikola Jokic isn’t. We already know the jump shot is special, he will most likely look to work on his body and being able to attack the rim better or get to his spots easier with a better handle.

The second-most important player to develop further and see a lot more minutes the next season will be Zeke Nnaji. He should have probably had more minutes this past season, he has the tools to be a pretty good role player with a long 6-foot-9 frame whose active on defense, a seemingly solid shooter, and a pretty good athlete.

Zeke’s development will be something to keep an eye on as Paul Millsap and JaMychal Green’s status are up in the air. Millsap is a free agent this offseason and Green has a Player Option with $7.6 million.

We will see how much confidence they have in Zeke based on what the Nuggets chose to do at that power forward position, but it would be a huge plus if Zeke began to fill out his potential and earns the trust of Michael Malone.

In a perfect world, Zeke Nnaji is interchangeable with Michael Porter Jr in the same way Jerami Grant and Aaron Gordon are where he can play the 3 and the 4 positions.

It will be interesting to see what moves the Denver Nuggets make, with the star talent they have in Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, they are in their championship window right now. They have to continue to build and grow by constructing a more compatible roster around the star players as well as continuing the growth and development of the young players.

The Nuggets will look to stay competitive next year and reload for another big playoff run in hunt for their very first NBA championship.

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