The Denver Nuggets' outlook this season and beyond doesn't seem as bright as fans hope, especially after losing Peyton Watson and failing to ink a contract extension with Nikola Jokic. Unfortunately, the Nuggets could also unwittingly help their Western Conference rival, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the near future because they owe the Thunder their first-round picks in 2027 and 2029.
Yossi Gozlan reminded folks (which may have broken Nuggets fans' hearts in the process) on his show, the "Third Apron" podcast, that the team has not really gotten much value from its previous deals that required giving up future draft selections. He also pointed out that the Thunder could end up benefiting from those picks if they become more valuable than expected.
Well, the 2027 first-rounder may not matter that much. The Nuggets aren't likely to fall off a steep cliff for them to miss this season's playoffs. But they could eventually regret giving up the 2029 pick, more so after not getting a lot in return for Watson and with Jokic's future in the Mile High City still not set in stone.
The Nuggets could learn a thing or two from the Thunder
Making matters worse, one of Denver's roadblocks to the top of the West can capitalize on its unlikely but possible decline.
In some ways, the Thunder and Nuggets were on a similar boat this summer. Both squads have needed to make some roster maneuvering for salary cap purposes.
The difference? OKC had depth to fall back on and actually secured more than a handful of second-round draft picks. Meanwhile, Denver swapped a starter-level player for just two draft selections (a first-rounder and a second-rounder) and still couldn't get out of second-apron hell.
It would have been nice if the Nuggets' front office was as competent as the Thunder's.
Sadly, they have been unable to maximize Jokic's prime. And it's scary that some of their rivals are better equipped to sustain or improve their roster's talent level down the line.
As mentioned, the Thunder have a deep roster and what might be an even deeper stash of draft assets. The San Antonio Spurs have complemented generational superstar Victor Wembanyama with young stars-in-the-making and plenty of tradable resources. Even the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Nuggets' tormentor in two of the past three postseasons, retooled by pairing Anthony Edwards with LaMelo Ball in the backcourt.
All is not lost for the Nuggets
Of course, this speculation may prove to be moot three years from now. Who's to say the Nuggets can't continue to be one of the league's powerhouses in the following years? For all we know, the picks they will send the Thunder could land late in the first round, as usual.
The team still has arguably the current greatest player in the world. Jamal Murray could finally get over what had been bugging him in the previous three playoffs. Aaron Gordon just needs to get a clean bill of health. Another young core piece could blow up, akin to Watson's breakout.
That's a lot of uncertainty, though. Without many options in the draft in the coming years, the Nuggets have a tough road to navigate in building a competent roster year in and year out.
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