The Denver Nuggets are struggling to maximize the value of the NBA Draft, and have therefore endangered their ability to give Nikola Jokic what he's asking for: A one-team career. It's an issue rooted in a once-elite drafting franchise suddenly struggling to develop talent internally.
Unfortunately, Denver's inability to utilize the NBA Draft to its advantage has cost the team the type of affordable depth that can alleviate pressure from Jokic.
Jokic is entering his 11th season with the Nuggets, with a championship and a second Conference Finals appearance acting as examples of his influence on team success. Unfortunately, Denver's past two seasons have ended in the second round, thus causing some to question if he'll sign an extension.
According to Arnie Melendrez Stapleton of The Associated Press, Jokic hasn't yet silenced the speculation, but made it clear that he wants to spend his entire career in Denver.
“I mean, I don’t think about it,” Jokic said. “I think those contract extensions come as a reward, as something that is natural to the sport. Especially in today’s NBA how you see how the salary cap is growing and everything.”
Jokic added one comment that Nuggets fans will undoubtedly love: “My plan is to be a Nugget forever.'"
It's a realistic outcome for all parties, but the Nuggets must improve the manner in which they draft and develop players to make this dream a reality.
Denver must improve internal development for Nikola Jokic to be a lifer
It may seem like an awkward time to make this criticism when one looks at the Nuggets' current roster. Franchise cornerstones Christian Braun, Jokic, and Jamal Murray were all drafted by Denver, and Cameron Johnson was acquired this summer via a trade that centered around Michael Porter Jr., whom the franchise selected at No. 14 in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Furthermore, the Nuggets finally seem to have resolved the issue of an absence of ideal depth by acquiring the likes of Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas.
The modern NBA has established a compelling trend, however, of teams loading up on draft picks—contenders included. Some will ultimately utilize those resources in trades for proven players, while others will stockpile up-and-coming talent on rookie-scale contracts.
There's no right answer in regard to how draft picks should be utilized, but one thing has become abundantly clear: Denver must improve its success rate at the NBA Draft.
The Nuggets spent 2020 and 2021 first-round draft picks on Zeke Nnaji and Bones Hyland—investments that have, unfortunately, failed to pan out. Landing Braun in 2022 is an undeniable win, but in the three years since, the results have been underwhelming.
Denver lost its 2023 first-round draft pick in the 2020 trade for R.J. Hampton, but recovered by adding Julian Strawther—an example of a player who's been entrusted limited playing time.
Nuggets have drafted interesting players but struggled to develop them
There are several players on the roster who present the Nuggets with an opportunity to instantly resolve this issue. Chief among them are offseason addition Kessler Edwards and draftees DaRon Holmes, Jalen Pickett, Julian Strawther, and Peyton Watson.
It's admittedly unrealistic to expect the Nuggets to turn all five players into high-level contributors, but the need for affordable talent with upside to explore is unavoidable.
Denver knows this as well as anyone, as they've benefited immensely from Braun's development on his rookie-scale deal. He's become a high-level starter who made it possible for the Nuggets to move on from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, thus facilitating the financial flexibility that permitted their signings in 2025.
Unfortunately, Pickett, Strawther, and Watson are now nearing the end of their respective rookie deals and they've yet to receive the consistent opportunities they've needed to improve.
Braun and Watson will become restricted free agents next summer, meaning there's a realistic scenario in which neither will be playing on team-friendly deals in 2026-27. Pickett and Strawther aren't far behind, with restricted free agency awaiting them in 2027.
Denver has an undeniably intriguing pool of talent to work with, but if it wants to make sure Jokic retires a Nugget, then it needs to improve the way it drafts and develops players.