The harsh reality is setting in. The Denver Nuggets are on the verge of a first-round postseason elimination for the first time since the 2021-22 season, down three games to one to the Minnesota Timberwolves. It's not over, and the Timberwolves will even be considerably shorthanded for Game 5. But the damage is done.
The Nuggets were exposed in the first four games. And it could leave a lasting impression and set the course of the 2026-27 Nuggets to take on a whole new look. Are we even prepared?
The Nuggets have looked bad, bad. The sense of urgency looked lost in the second-half of Game 4's loss. Jokic hasn't been himself at all, and the supporting cast hasn't stepped up. Jamal Murray hasn't even been himself. Was it something in the water in Minnesota?
A first-round exit would, unfortunately, give the front office an excuse to blow up parts of the roster construction to save money. Are we even prepared?
The Nuggets are strapped for cash next season
The Nuggets were already in a tough spot heading into next season from a salary cap standpoint. The Nuggets' starting five, Jokic, Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, and Christian Braun, are set to make $187.4 million together next year. The salary cap is projected at $165 million next season! The luxury tax is projected at $200 million, and the second apron tax kicks in at around $221 million.
Currently, the Nuggets have nearly $217 million in committed contracts for next year. For 11 players. And that doesn't include Peyton Watson, who will command a fortune in the free agency market. He's a restricted free agent, and the Nuggets have a chance to match, but only if they jump through some financial hoops or prepare to pay some stiff penalties.
Ownership would have an excuse to blow up the roster if they wanted
The Kroenke's could want to save money if they see the disaster that's been the last three games and deem the team not good enough to win a title. They showed this year that, instead of going out and adding to the team at the deadline to give us the winning edge the team is suddenly missing, they were concerned about saving money and getting under the luxury tax threshold. Understandably, the move did save on additional penalties that would kick in for being a repeat tax breaker.
The Nuggets have looked bad enough against Minnesota, and are in such a bad spot with the tax, it's not unfathomable to see Gordon and Johnson gone, and the Nuggets rebuild around Jokic, Murray, P-Wat, and Braun. Or something else that gets them under the luxury tax.
Or scarier yet, what if they trade Jokic or Murray for a huge haul? It seems unthinkable, but the last three losses against the Timberwolves exposed some things that we as fans didn't think we would see. Like Rudy Gobert dominating Jokic.
A win in the series goes a long way toward avoiding some of the possible chaos this offseason, but down 3-1, the Nuggets will have to show the spirit we haven't seen over the last three games in Game 5 to overcome. Here's to hoping they do. Nuggets fans may not be prepared for a new reality next season. At least, not yet.
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