In the past five years, the Denver Nuggets have claimed a championship title, making it challenging to critique their performance. Despite Nikola Jokic being widely regarded as the league’s foremost player, the Nuggets faced elimination in the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season. A mid-season coaching change, along with numerous offseason adjustments, has significantly impacted Denver’s team dynamics. While Jokic is set for another stellar season, the pivotal question remains: can the rest of the Nuggets support him effectively in a fiercely competitive Western Conference?
Offseason Overview for the Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets were clearly dissatisfied with their lineup towards the end of last season, leading to the dismissal of Mike Malone with just three games left in the regular season. David Adelman has stepped in as the new head coach, marking his first offseason opportunity to shape the roster.
The most significant move of the offseason was the trade involving Michael Porter Jr. and a first-round draft pick being sent to the Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson. Porter Jr., a vital component of the Nuggets’ championship journey, has served as the third scorer alongside Jokic and Jamal Murray for the past five seasons. While his three-point shooting and athleticism will be missed, acquiring Johnson represents a notable enhancement. Johnson averaged 19 points per game last season with the Nets, showcasing efficiency from all positions on the court. The Nuggets have long sought another scorer to complement Jokic, and Johnson is expected to thrive alongside him. Although he will need to adjust to a lesser role than he held with the struggling Nets, his adaptability has been proven.
But the Nuggets weren’t done there. They also added Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. through free agency while trading for Jonas Valanciunas. Each of these seasoned players has experience in the league and a strong track record of winning. They provide essential roles for the Nuggets, contributing to the team’s improvement, even if their long-term potential may be limited. Consequently, the Nuggets opted not to re-sign Russell Westbrook, who experienced a mixed tenure in Denver and remains a free agent.
Anticipations for the Denver Nuggets Season
The expectation is that, as long as Nikola Jokic remains healthy, the Denver Nuggets are posed to contend for an NBA championship. The Oklahoma City Thunder lead a pack of formidable competitors within the Western Conference; however, Jokic possesses the ability to guide the team to victory almost single-handedly. He placed second in MVP voting, partially due to voter fatigue, and ranked in the top five in points per game, rebounds, assists, and three-point shooting percentage. While replicating a stat line of 30/10/13 will be a challenge, few can match Jokic’s skill set. As a three-time MVP, he relies more on his exceptional court vision and unique shooting mechanics than solely on physicality—even at 7 feet tall. His ability to execute remarkable plays consistently makes him a force that’s hard to contain. On paper, Jokic is not only enjoying the best phase of his career but also has the strongest supporting cast surrounding him in Denver.
Jamal Murray’s contributions often go unnoticed amid Jokic’s brilliance, yet he plays a vital role in the Nuggets’ success. We witnessed Jokic struggle in the 2022 playoffs without Murray, but their collaboration led the team to victory in 2023. Murray effectively spaces the floor, maintains low turnover rates, and can quickly heat up from beyond the arc. Additionally, Aaron Gordon is another essential figure in the starting lineup, with Christian Braun’s emergence partly explaining why the Nuggets were comfortable parting with Porter Jr. Denver is deep, balanced, and filled with the ambition to succeed after two underwhelming seasons. Given that they have the best player in the league on their roster, underestimating this team as they head into the 2025-26 season would be a mistake.
Schedule Breakdown for the Denver Nuggets
The season kicks off with a game against the Golden State Warriors, followed by a favorable stretch in which six of their next eight matches will occur at home. They also host a Christmas Day game against the Minnesota Timberwolves before embarking on a challenging seven-game road trip that extends into the New Year. The team concludes the season with a comforting schedule, featuring 10 of their last 13 matches at home, including a pivotal clash against the Thunder during game 81 that may have significant playoff implications.
Denver Nuggets Betting Odds
This season, the Nuggets are anticipated to be one of the leading teams in the NBA, as reflected in the betting odds. They have a projected win total of 53.5, with a slight push towards the over, or 54.5 leaning under. This figure ranks third highest in the NBA, trailing only behind the Cavaliers and Thunder. The Nuggets hold -4000 odds to secure a playoff spot, expected to qualify without engaging in the play-in tournament, for which they are listed at +500.
In terms of the postseason, Denver has +800 odds to clinch the NBA Championship and +480 to win the Western Conference. The stiff rivalry in the West suggests that if the Nuggets make it to the Finals, they will likely stand as favorites, which is reflected in their odds. In the NBA Cup, they possess the fourth-lowest odds at +1100 to win, yet the competition remains fierce against teams like the Rockets, Warriors, Spurs, and Trail Blazers, who all share +165 odds.
2025-26 Season Predictions and Top Bets for the Denver Nuggets
It is difficult to dismiss the Nuggets as long as Jokic maintains his health. With the depth added around their MVP candidate, they are positioned for a significant playoff run. There’s no one I’d prefer having the ball in the dying seconds of a Game 7 than Jokic. I predict the Nuggets will have a strong playoff journey this season, although I doubt it will stem from an exceptional regular-season performance. Denver carries a slight “winning fatigue” into the regular season, having been among the top four finishers for three consecutive years as well as six times in the last seven seasons. A highly competitive Western Conference may hinder their ability to accumulate wins, leading me to anticipate a finish of 51-31, just shy of their target. However, the dynamics alter in the playoffs.
Having faced two hard-fought second-round exits over the past two seasons, the Nuggets are primed for a change of fortune. Though navigating the challenging Western Conference will prove tough, Denver possesses the resilience to prevail in any seven-game series. While odds may shift slightly from +800, making a modest investment in the Nuggets to secure another championship remains a wise choice. Regarding the coveted MVP award, last season saw a heated debate surrounding the race, ending with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking home the trophy. With voters having moved on from his streak, it’s time they return the award to its rightful owner. Jokic is listed with +350 odds to win the MVP this season, representing a notable bet as we head into the upcoming campaign.
Recommendation: Denver Nuggets Under 53.5 Wins +100
Recommendation: Denver Nuggets to win the NBA Championship +800
Top Recommendation: Nikola Jokic to win MVP +350
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