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What would a successful ‘23 season look like for the Denver Nuggets?

By Rowan Fisher-Shotton

DENVER, CO - APRIL 07: Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a play against the Memphis Grizzlies at Ball Arena on April 7, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Mito/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 07: Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a play against the Memphis Grizzlies at Ball Arena on April 7, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Mito/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after scoring during the second half of a game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on April 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after scoring during the second half of a game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on April 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Just eight teams finished the 2021-22 regular season with 50+ wins, and the Nuggets fell right below this threshold. Now that Denver is back at full strength with the anticipated return of both Murray and Porter Jr., finishing above this mark should be the expectation for the Denver Nuggets.

Outside of the two NBA Finals’ participants from last year, Golden State and Boston, who recorded 53 and 51 wins, respectively. The only other teams who notched 50 wins or more were Miami, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Memphis and Dallas.

Looking at these teams, I find it hard to believe that a fully healthy trio of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. can’t contend for a top spot.

Memphis and Dallas are almost singlehandedly led by their two franchise cornerstones in Luka Doncic and Ja Morant but both lack the depth that Denver possesses with supporting players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, Bones Hyland, and Aaron Gordon.

Miami has the depth to match thanks to steady contributions from Tyler Herro, Victor Oladipo, Max Strus and Duncan Robinson. However, their trio of Butler, Adebayo and Lowry are on par (if not worse) from an all-around talent perspective compared to Denver’s big three.

Philadelphia is probably the closest comparison as a team that’s led by a generational center with assistance from a scoring combo guard and talented two-way wing players. However, the 76ers were at one point considered the favorites in the Eastern Conference, so, there are worse comparisons if you’re the Denver Nuggets.

The Bucks and Suns are the only two teams out of this bunch that I currently see as better than the Nuggets, though things can change over the course of an NBA season. Milwaukee has a solid core of Giannis, Middleton, Holiday and Lopez, not to mention strong depth with Pat Connaughton, Grayson Allen and Bobby Portis. While Phoenix too has a reliable second unit to surround Booker, Paul, Bridges and Ayton.

Nevertheless, if the only teams better than the Nuggets right now are those who were in the NBA Finals either this past year or the one prior, then Denver looks to be in pretty good shape for 2023. There’s no reason to believe that this franchise can’t win at least 50 games next season.

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