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The 5 most important Denver Nuggets heading into the 2022-23 NBA season

By Ben Grunert

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 17: Bones Hyland #3 reacts with Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 17: Bones Hyland #3 reacts with Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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LJUBJLANA, SLOVENIA – 2022/08/17: Nikola Jokic of Serbia warms up during the International Friendly basketball between Slovenia and Serbia at Arena Stozice. Final score after extra time was Slovenia 97: 92 Serbia. (Photo by Milos Vujinovic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
LJUBJLANA, SLOVENIA – 2022/08/17: Nikola Jokic of Serbia warms up during the International Friendly basketball between Slovenia and Serbia at Arena Stozice. Final score after extra time was Slovenia 97: 92 Serbia. (Photo by Milos Vujinovic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

Nikola Jokic

This may be the most obvious No. 1 choice, but it is also the only No. 1 choice.

The Joker is far and away the most valuable player on the Denver Nuggets, and there is no question about it. Last year, he led his team in all five major statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks), becoming just the sixth player in NBA history to do so.

Jokic also led Denver in field-goal percentage last season, shooting 58.3 percent from the field through 74 games while playing 2,476 total minutes.

Many would argue that the Serbian seven-footer provides more value to his team than anyone else on the planet. After all, his consecutive MVP trophies certainly help his case.

The Big Honey will welcome the long-awaited comebacks of Murray and MPJ, two players who can take on some of the playmaking and shot-creating burdens Jokic shouldered last season. Without these two young talents, the superstar center still led the Nuggets to the sixth-best offensive rating in the NBA last season.

In total, Jokic will have six different teammates who scored double-digit points per game last season. Bruce Brown notched 9.0 points per contest as well, shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from three.

Year after year, Jokic has treated Nuggets fans to some of the most intelligent and efficient basketball out there. This season, the Joker will aim to translate his unique brand of hoops into one that finally wins his team a championship.

But he can’t do it alone.

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