The Denver Nuggets lost in the second round of the 2023/24 NBA Playoffs, and salary cap restrictions mean they'll have to use a few unproven young players around the star duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope became one of the NBA's premier three-and-D players in his two seasons with the Nuggets, which included winning the NBA Championship in 2022/23, and his play in the Mile High City earned him a big contract with the Orlando Magic.
That means Christian Braun, entering his third season, is likely to take over as the starter. The 6-foot-6 Kansas product is a career 37.3 percent three-point shooter, and he averaged 7.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists last season in 20.2 minutes per game.
Of course, Braun will be the fifth option behind three-time NBA MVP Jokic, Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon.
Jokic, as usual, was the team's superstar last season en route to his third MVP Award, which has him tied with Moses Malone, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson on the all-time list. The Joker averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks with a 58.3 field goal percentage.
Murray also averaged over 20 points, but a calf injury limited his production and efficiency in the playoffs. Still, as a result of averaging 21.2 points on 42.5 percent three-point shooting with 6.5 assists per game last regular season, he earned a four-year, $208 million extension in the offseason.
Porter can be counted on for elite three-point shooting while Gordon makes smart hustle plays by utilizing his athleticism. The biggest questions surrounding the Nuggets relate to the young talents who will need to step up.
Braun and Peyton Watson were part of the rotation for much of last season, but at least a few of Zeke Nnaji, Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett and Hunter Tyson will need to prove themselves as solid reserve options.
Let's take a look at Denver's odds for 2024/25 as they look to bounce back from a disappointing playoff run.
To Win NBA Championship +1000
To Win Western Conference +400
To Win Northwest Division +340
To Win NBA Cup +1500
To Make the Playoffs -1000
To Miss the Playoffs +600
Over 51.5 Regular Season Wins +100
Under 51.5 Regular Season Wins -130
Read the latest NBA news on site.
Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.