Nuggets have all the pieces needed to defend NBA title

NBA basketball returns Oct. 24. We are counting down the days like the seconds on a shot clock — literally, that’s what we’re doing. As of Oct. 1, our writers will list 24 storylines heading into the 2023-24 NBA season.

A new storyline will drop each day. Here is No. 1:

The Nuggets didn’t make any splashy moves this summer, but they still have Nikola Jokic. That’s enough to repeat.

The world’s best player, Nikola Jokic, fully recognizes his ability to utilize the entire team on a night-to-night basis to determine Denver’s fate. That’s dangerously good. In addition, the Nuggets bring back their entire starting five from a squad that nearly swept the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, overcame formidable opponents like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in the West semifinals, and shut out the Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 in the Western Conference Finals during their impressive 16-4 playoff run that culminated in an NBA championship.

We’ve witnessed only three repeat champions (Golden State, Miami, and the Lakers) since 2010. While this Nuggets team may lack the star power of those previous champions, its pieces fit together better than some might want to admit.

Although the Nuggets lost key players like Bruce Brown and Jeff Green to free agency, role players such as Christian Braun, Reggie Jackson, Peyton Watson, Justin Holiday, and Zeke Nnaji will need to step up. As rotations tighten in the postseason, Denver relies on these players to make an impact during the regular season.

Furthermore, Denver’s No. 2 and No. 3 options, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., are poised to have even better performances in the 2023-24 season. Murray, who missed the 2021-22 season due to an ACL injury and played 65 games last season, showcased his playmaking skills and clutch shooting in the playoffs. Murray’s health and freshness will be boosted by his withdrawal from the FIBA World Cup during the summer.

As for Porter, with his athleticism, he’s arguably the most athletic player on the Nuggets roster. Despite only playing nine games in the 2021-22 season due to back surgery, Porter has shown improvement defensively and is expected to be a more explosive player in the upcoming season.

Despite not making any big moves in the offseason, Denver has all the ingredients for a repeat championship.

The rest of the league needs to play catchup.

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Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here, and follow him on Twitter.

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