The Denver Nuggets have certainly gone backward since their NBA championship-winning season of 2022-23. And despite being the third seed in the playoffs last year, they were bounced in an embarrassingly bad defensive effort in the first round by the backup guards of the Minnesota Timberwolves. This offseason has presented even more challenges because of the Nuggets' poor financial and draft capital situation. But the future doesn't seem as bleak as ESPN's new three-year outlook power rankings make it out to be.
The Nuggets are ranked 18th in the new rankings from ESPN, down from 9th the last time that ESPN put out their near-term future outlook on the league's 30 teams. ESPN cites two main reasons for the drop: The Nuggets roster isn't what it used to be after trading away Michael Porter Jr. and Peyton Watson over the last two offseasons to shed salary. And second, the Nuggets' salary cap situation has left them in a tough spot. They're still the only team in the NBA currently operating above the league's second-apron penalty threshold.
For this season, those reasons seem justified. But the Nuggets can turn the corner if their front office, which was rated pretty low as well, rights the ship.
The Nuggets' front office can brighten the outlook in 2027-28
Because of the Nuggets' second-apron status and the contracts on the books, the Nuggets were ranked 30th in the "money" category. But it might not be as bad as it seems if the Nuggets make a couple of smart money moves.
The latest NBA salary cap projections actually show a positive change of $2 million for 2027-28, which would give the Nuggets a little extra room to work with. They'll also be able to waive and stretch Zeke Nnaji's remaining $7.4 million, freeing up an additional $5 million. Plus, the Nuggets can decline the team option for former first-round pick DaRon Holmes II, which would free up another $5.5 million. Those are two moves the Nuggets should absolutely make on players who aren't getting rotation spots.
That's $12+ million the Nuggets don't have available this summer. The Nuggets can then find two players better suited to the makeup of the roster, or one better player in the $9 million range and another veteran on the minimum, as they did with DeMar DeRozan for this upcoming season.
Plus, the Nuggets added some draft assets to trade, picking up the 2031 unprotected first-round pick in the Watson sign-and-trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers, their only currently tradeable first-round pick. Plus, they added three second-round picks. It's not a solution, but they're steps in the right direction.
As long as the front office makes the right moves, there's optimism the Nuggets will be better off than the 19th-place ranking ESPN gave them.
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