Nuggets have turned despair into hope with magical offseason

The Denver Nuggets entered the 2025 offseason with a bleak outlook on a future that once appeared dynastic. Despite having an elite starting lineup led by three-time MVP in Nikola Jokic and postseason flamethrower Jamal Murray, Denver's lack of ideal depth and minimal financial flexibility left it in an uncompromising position.

With their backs against the wall, the Nuggets responded to adversity by completing a series of moves that have completely transformed their identity.

It's difficult to be too critical of Denver considering it was a Game 7 away from reaching the 2025 Western Conference Finals. The lack of depth was overwhelmingly evident, however, and the need to move on from Michael Porter Jr. became impossible to ignore.

The first domino fell when Denver completed a shocking swap of Porter for Cameron Johnson in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets that helped it shed more than $17 million in annual salary.

Denver continued to improve its roster by bringing back one of the most important pieces from its championship puzzle in 2022-23, Bruce Brown Jr., on a one-year deal.

The Nuggets then completed the most unlikely of trades when it acquired veteran center Jonas Valanciunas in a trade that shipped out Dario Saric.

In the blink of an eye, Denver has restructured its starting lineup, added two high-level veterans to the second unit, and both created and maintained financial flexibility.

Nuggets have created something out of nothing during 2025 offseason

A case can be made for Porter being a more dynamic talent than Johnson. He's owed upward of $17 million more than his contemporary in 2025-26, however, and his history of coming up short in the postseason had thus made his contract difficult to justify.

By bringing in Johnson, the Nuggets have created room to operate under the salary cap and maintained a high level of talent at a crucial wing position.

In 2024-25, Johnson posted averages of 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.8 three-point field goals made per game on .475/.390/.893 shooting. He shot 40.3 percent on 5.1 catch-and-shoot threes per game, which bodes well for him in a system led by a generational passer in Jokic.

Johnson should thus slot in favorably as the new starting small forward, providing optimal spacing and a perhaps underrated degree of playmaking ability from the wings.

Brown and Valanciunas, meanwhile, give the Nuggets a quality they lacked in 2024-25: A potential rotation that goes at least seven players deep. Brown is a proven commodity in Denver, providing energy and intensity on defense, and a knack for stepping up in big moments.

Valanciunas, meanwhile, is among the most productive backup centers in the NBA. In 2024-25, he averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in just 18.8 minutes per game.

With Brown and Valanciunas providing reliable play and production, up-and-comers such as Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson have clearer paths to consistency. They'll face significantly less pressure to produce above their means, and should thus be able to focus more on continued development.

The Nuggets still have work to do if they hope to contend again in 2025-26, but a magical offseason has gifted the team a unique opportunity to exceed expectations.