Lately, it seems like everyone has weighed in on the Nuggets’ offseason and Jamal Murray’s play in the Olympics this summer. The general sentiment around the team has been negativity and disappointment ever since their playoff choke job against the Timberwolves.
Since then, we’ve seen the Nuggets lose Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency, first-round pick DaRon Holmes II tear his achilles, and Jamal Murray struggle mightily at the Olympics. The Nuggets have also dealt away a plethora of draft picks and the only new blood they have to show from this offseason are veterans Dario Saric and Russell Westbrook.
Bill Simmons thinks the Nuggets are letting down Nikola Jokic
The latest to weigh in on the Nuggets was Bill Simmons, founder of the Ringer and longtime sports media mogul. On the most recent episode of the Bill Simmons Podcast, in a conversation with Derek Thompson, Simmons questioned the Nuggets’ outlook, wondering aloud if they are letting down Nikola Jokic and wasting his prime.
Simmons went on a rant about Murray’s play for Team Canada and wondered if he’s going to get back to his 2023 playoff form. Simmons was critical of the other roster moves as well and was skeptical if the new veterans and young, unproven players will be able to step in and help the team win.
Simmons went as far as to say that the Nuggets are a lock to go under their projected win total of 52.5 this season, stating he thinks it should be closer to 47. He also suggested that the Nuggets need to trade Michael Porter Jr. and turn him into multiple players who can contribute.
Simmons thinks the Nuggets will have to trade Michael Porter Jr.
He specifically suggested a trade that would bring Jokic’s Serbian buddy Bogdan Bogdanovic to Denver, but Thompson was more skeptical. These aren’t exactly original ideas or opinions from Simmons, but he does have one of the biggest followings in NBA media.
Simmons has been a huge Jokic supporter for years and seemed almost disappointed and sad when talking about the Nuggets. It seems like he genuinely wants Jokic to succeed and live up to his potential, but seems upset by everything that is happening around the MVP.