Denver Nuggets' Offseason Challenges: Building Around Jokic

The Denver Nuggets face crucial offseason decisions, including finding a permanent head coach and strengthening their roster around Nikola Jokic. With limited assets, the team may need to make tough trades to bolster their lineup and support their superstar center.

The Denver Nuggets' playoff run came to an abrupt end with a dismal 125-93 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. Despite their valiant effort to take down the in-form Los Angeles Clippers in seven games, the Nuggets' roster limitations were exposed against the Thunder. Nikola Jokic, widely regarded as the world's best player, was overwhelmed by the Thunder's relentless defense.

Final pic.twitter.com/Cyiysm80Wu

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 18, 2025

The Nuggets' dismal showing has raised questions about the team's roster construction, particularly the pieces surrounding Jokic. Coach Michael Malone's departure and Calvin Booth's dismissal as general manager have added to the uncertainty. Key players like Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon performed admirably, but the team's lack of depth proved costly. Denver's bench was thin, and the team struggled to find scoring punch beyond its stars.

Nuggets' Playoff Run: A Rollercoaster Ride

The Denver Nuggets' playoff journey was marked by uncertainty, beginning with the surprise decision to fire coach Michael Malone late in the regular season. Despite this turmoil, they managed to secure a fourth-place finish in the Western Conference. This set up a thrilling first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, which turned out to be a grueling seven-game series. The Nuggets ultimately emerged victorious, but their celebration was short-lived as they faced the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals. However, they were eliminated in Game 7, losing 125-93.

The Denver Nuggets shocked the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1, coming from behind to win in Oklahoma, thanks to Aaron Gordon's crucial three-pointer. However, the Thunder bounced back with a dominating 43-point victory in Game 2. Denver regained momentum in Game 3, taking the lead in the series. But their failure to close out Game 4, despite having a strong position in the fourth quarter, proved costly. The Thunder capitalized on the Nuggets' mistake, winning the next two games to take a 3-2 series lead.

Jokic's Shooting Struggles

Despite Nikola Jokic's impressive 40-point performances, the Nuggets' star struggled through the worst shooting slump of his career at a critical time. From Game 2 to Game 4, he shot under 40% in three consecutive games with at least 15 attempts. However, the Nuggets managed to force a Game 7 by winning Game 6, sending the series to a thrilling conclusion.

Nuggets' Season Ends in Disappointment

The highly anticipated Game 7 matchup between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic failed to live up to expectations, as the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Denver Nuggets in a 125-93 blowout. The Thunder's athleticism and stifling defense overwhelmed a sluggish Denver team, which lacked the energy and quality to compete. The loss marked the end of the Nuggets' 2024/25 season, with the team getting eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals for the second consecutive year.

Role Players Underwhelmed

The Denver Nuggets' supporting cast around Nikola Jokic failed to deliver, with several key players underperforming. While Aaron Gordon excelled, playing through a hamstring strain in Game 7, others fell short. Michael Porter Jr. struggled, averaging 9.1 points on 39.2% shooting across 14 postseason games, and 7.4 points against the Thunder. Russell Westbrook, the team's sixth man, was also disappointing, scoring 9.9 points per game on 35% shooting. Their lackluster performances exposed the team's depth issues and hindered their playoff chances.

Jamal Murray had some standout moments in the postseason, but his inconsistency and lack of impact compared to his performance during the 2023 title run were notable. Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun were bright spots, playing crucial roles and earning credit for their efforts. However, their performances weren't enough to overcome the team's struggles, particularly as Nikola Jokic faced physical and aggressive defense from the Thunder. Despite his best efforts, Jokic seemed to run out of steam, highlighting the team's reliance on him and the need for more support from other players.

Building for the Future

Despite a tough playoff run, the Denver Nuggets have reason to be optimistic. Pushing the league's top team to a Game 7 shows promise, but it's time to surround Nikola Jokic with a stronger supporting cast to contend for another championship. A key area of focus should be bolstering the bench, which struggled to provide consistent production. Acquiring one or two impactful players who can offer reliable minutes and give Jokic a break could make a significant difference.

The Denver Nuggets face a challenge in improving their roster due to limited valuable assets and draft picks. To address this, parting ways with a starter, likely Michael Porter Jr., might be necessary. Porter Jr. has struggled with shooting (40.6% from three) and dealt with a shoulder injury, making him a potential trade candidate. The team could seek a more athletic player to boost their defense and a reliable bench contributor, or possibly two, to strengthen their lineup and support Nikola Jokic.

The Denver Nuggets still need to find a permanent head coach, with former assistant David Adelman having taken over as interim coach during the postseason. Although Adelman has earned praise from players and built strong relationships with them, making him a viable option, the team must make a decision quickly. With Nikola Jokic as their franchise cornerstone, the Nuggets have no room for error and must prioritize winning around their superstar center.