Josh Kroenke said everything is on the table for the Denver Nuggets this offseason, except trading Nikola Jokić. Maybe they will decide to run it back, which is what they should do given their superstar center, though in reality, it may not matter much. Can they do enough to make it past Oklahoma City or San Antonio?
They almost did so in the 2025 playoffs with the Thunder, but almost doesn't count. Still, that was enough reason to be optimistic about their chances this season after the front office retooled the roster. So much for that. Yes, health was an issue, but that didn't make the first-round exit sting any less.
Oklahoma City will remain a threat, and on top of that, San Antonio is already one this early in Victor Wembanyama's career. He finished second in MVP voting, behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and won Defensive Player of the Year. He'll only get better, too, as absurd as that is. It's not just about Wemby, either; the Spurs' draft luck gifted them with Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle.
How can the Nuggets possibly do enough this summer within their financial constraints to go toe-to-toe with either team?
Thunder and Spurs aren't going anywhere anytime soon
Going after the second tax apron, a territory Denver is already close to for next season, without factoring in things like re-signing Peyton Watson, is a possibility. It doesn't feel all that likely, though, given how the Kroenkes operate. The Nuggets could justify the expensive payroll by winning a title, but that's a little easier said than done.
Again, the Spurs and Thunder exist.
Luck wasn't on Denver's side this past season, and even with better depth, it couldn't make do without Aaron Gordon and Watson. Oklahoma City went almost a month without Jalen Williams in the playoffs (and he's out again since returning), and still went 8-0 en route to the conference finals. Sam Presti has a knack for spawning players out of nowhere.
San Antonio is a deep team, too. Harper, who doesn't look like a rookie, comes off the bench when De'Aaron Fox is healthy. The team needs to add depth behind Wemby this offseason, but as currently constructed, they're still scary enough to be tied 2-2 with the Thunder in the WCF. Their experience making it this far will only make them better next season.
Of course, with Jokić still being Jokić, the Nuggets can't be intimidated by the younger, stronger teams in the conference and give up all hope on improving the roster this summer. They owe it to him to make another title push, but with each passing year since 2023, their odds of doing so keep taking hits.
Also, the Timberwolves still exist
I didn't even mention the Timberwolves, who had a disappointing second-round exit but still beat the Nuggets despite their injuries (Denver couldn't use its own injuries as an excuse). Especially after the way the season ended, Minnesota could win the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes this offseason.
You already knew this, but the Nuggets have their work cut out for them. What has happened throughout the playoffs so far has added even more pressure. How the front office responds this offseason will determine whether Denver can actually win another championship with Jokić, who turned 31 in February. No reason to worry, right? Ha!
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