The Denver Nuggets have been one of the best teams in the NBA thus far this season. They are currently tied for first place in the Western Conference along with the New Orleans Pelicans, with a record of 22-12. To ensure they remain there, the team has some plans to continue upgrading the roster.
They have accomplished the hardest part as they have a bonafide start to build around in center Nikola Jokic. Jokic has won the MVP award in two consecutive seasons and continues to produce at a high level once again.
He is going to be in the MVP running once again, averaging 25.7 points, 10.8 rebounds, 9.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. He is shooting an efficient 61.9 percent from the field as teams can no longer load up to just slow him down with double and triple-teams as the supporting cast around him is improved.
With Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. back in the lineup alongside Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, teams have a lot more to pay attention to than Jokic. While he is still the centerpiece of their attack, the other players are more than capable of taking advantage when defenses have lapses against them.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nikola Jokic & Denver Nuggets Updates
While the offense has been rolling this season, as the Nuggets have the third-best offensive rating in the NBA, they leave a lot to be desired defensively. Denver is currently 25th in defensive rating and that is something they are looking to turn around for the remainder of the season.
While some progression from the players on the roster could be in store, Denver is willing to look outside the organization for help. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, they have their eyes set on bolstering the bench ahead of the trade deadline.
“With the trade deadline nearing on Feb. 9, league sources say the Nuggets will be on the lookout for wing help to come off their bench. They want to get longer, more athletic, versatile, defensive-minded and bigger in that department. The Gordon trade with Orlando in March of 2021 continues to pay big dividends, and adding another player with that sort of skill set would be the dream scenario here.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nikola Jokic & Denver Nuggets Updates
Free agent Bruce Brown was a nice addition in that regard along with flipping Monte Morris and Will Barton to the Washington Wizards in the offseason for Caldwell-Pope. The Nuggets have a versatile group of players, but most of their strengths skew offensively.
If they can add another defensive-minded player as Amick suggested, Denver would be in business. Michael Malone would have one of the deepest rotations in the NBA, enabling him to mix and match his lineups and combat any scheme that opponents throw at them.
