Starting Five
27 Jamal Murray
Guard | 25 | 6-foot-4 | 215 pounds
Murray’s long-awaited return is nearly here. Ever since tearing his left ACL in April 2021, the Nuggets have only been able to wonder what their optimal version looks like, with Murray running point and Nikola Jokic shepherding the offense. The Nuggets will be careful with Murray, who already experienced a hamstring tweak that limited his preseason play. But when available, his competitiveness and scoring ability significantly lift Denver’s ceiling.
5 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Guard | 29 | 6-5 | 204
Caldwell-Pope is the 3-and-D shooting guard the Nuggets have needed for years, which is why general manager Calvin Booth paid a healthy price (Monte Morris and Will Barton) to Washington to land him. Caldwell-Pope hasn’t shot under 38% from 3-point range in any of the past three seasons. His 3-point shooting ability, coupled with his defensive chops, make him a significant upgrade in the starting lineup.
1 Michael Porter Jr.
Forward | 24 | 6-10 | 218
Porter’s status might be the most encouraging aspect of Denver’s training camp. Following another season lost to back surgery, Porter looks excellent. Over five preseason games, Porter canned 13 3-pointers on efficient shooting. Even more promising was how he arrived at those shots. He seems to be more comfortable alongside Nikola Jokic and understands that the offense is best optimized when the ball is moving, no matter how pretty his shot might be.
50 Aaron Gordon
Forward | 27 | 6-8 |235
Nuggets coach Michael Malone conceded that due to Denver’s circ*mstances last season, Gordon was asked to do far too much. On any given night, he’d check an opponent’s best playmaker while simultaneously serving as Nikola Jokic’s primary wingman. Michael Porter Jr.’s health shifts Gordon back to power forward, where he can dominate closer to the rim, clean up the glass and move off the ball for easy dunks. Now doing what he’s best at, Gordon could experience a renaissance.
15 Nikola Jokic
Center | 27 | 7-0 | 284
With hardly any help last season, Jokic posted career-highs in points (27.1), rebounds (13.8) and still dished almost eight assists per game en route to his second consecutive MVP. He’s already in the rarest of air, yet has a chance to become only the fourth player in NBA history to win three consecutive MVPs. (Only Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell reside in that hallowed club.) Expect his scoring and rebounding to drop, but those assists could jump with the returns of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Not to mention, the Nuggets have legitimate designs on a top-3 seed in the West. It’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Reserves
3 Bones Hyland
Guard | 22 | 6-3 | 173
In many ways, Hyland’s rookie year was sensational. What does an encore look like? He’ll get ample opportunity to shine running the second unit, where he’s going to be tasked with spearheading everything they do offensively. After garnering second-team All-Rookie last season, Hyland’s challenge will be striking the balance between catering to his aggressive playing style while also facilitating for teammates. Coach Michael Malone has also hinted at staggering some of the first and second units, which will allow Hyland to play off both Murray and Jokic.
11 Bruce Brown
Guard | 26 | 6-4 | 202
One of the most underrated free-agent additions this summer, Brown has already endeared himself to his teammates and head coach. Brown’s unconventional game adds a new wrinkle to Denver’s approach on both ends. He can handle as a point guard, operate from the post as a stocky big man and defensively, switch everything. As versatile as he is, his motor is going to keep him in good standing with Malone throughout the season. He’s already become a favorite of Nikola Jokic.
9 Davon Reed
Guard | 27 | 6-5 | 208
A two-way contract last season inhibited Reed from making the playoff roster, but the Nuggets did right by him this summer in signing him to a standard deal. A rangy wing who can also hit from outside, Reed will always have a role in Malone’s lineups. That doesn’t necessarily mean on a nightly basis, and it might only be in spot situations. But who can forget last season when Reed put the clamps on LeBron James defensively?
0 Christian Braun
Forward | 21 | 6-6 | 210
Braun, GM Calvin Booth’s first-draft pick running the franchise, has already made a positive impression in only a few months as a pro. He’s established a reputation of playing hard, attacks the rim with confidence and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to affect the game. He and Reed will likely vie for backup forward minutes, but the future is bright for Braun.
32 Jeff Green
Forward | 36 | 6-8 | 235
When various Nuggets officials praise the camaraderie and cohesiveness of this particular team, what they’re really doing is tipping their hat to Green, who’s been instrumental in establishing a veteran approach to the season. That’s not to sell his playing ability short. Green can still leap with the best of them and can be vital in maintaining the second unit. In his second season in Denver, Green has become one of the pillars of the locker room.
6 DeAndre Jordan
Center | 34 | 6-11 | 265
Another free agent addition, Jordan has also quickly become a part of the fabric of the organization. Though his defensive skills have diminished, Jordan can still be effective in spot minutes. Michael Malone loves his communication and locker room presence. At this stage of his career, expect him to be featured in matchup specific instances. As long as he accepts the situation, it could be a fruitful partnership.
22 Zeke Nnaji
Forward | 21 | 6-11 | 240
After a season marred by knee injuries, Nnaji lived in the weight room and in the gym this summer to give himself the best chance at building his durability. The early returns are promising. With a tweaked shooting form and upgraded physique, Nnaji’s had a strong preseason and put himself in position to compete at backup five. Given his versatility, and the injury history of Michael Porter Jr., Nnaji could also find himself spelling Porter at times. A big year could be ahead.
14 Ish Smith
Guard | 34 | 6-0 | 175
Underestimate Smith at your own risk. A savvy veteran, Smith has more speed and skill than your typical third-string point guard. He can command an offense, dictate pace, set teammates up and slither inside for crafty layups. Since being acquired in the trade that sent Monte Morris and Will Barton to Washington, Smith has been a bright spot for the organization, on the court and in the locker room. Expect him to get some minutes running with Denver’s second unit.
31 Vlatko Cancar
Forward | 25 | 6-8 | 236
Following a strong summer playing with Slovenia (and Luka Doncic) at EuroBasket, Cancar is back in Denver and armed with a new three-year contract. When he’s on the floor, Cancar is a high IQ forward who can occasionally hit the outside jumper. The problem for Cancar has been two-fold. First, a foot fracture hampered his season last year, and second, the Nuggets have depth at his position. Perhaps this is the season where consistency bleeds into opportunity.
8 Peyton Watson
Forward | 20 | 6-8 | 200
Watson, Denver’s other first-round pick from this summer’s draft, has all the makings of a defensive chess piece who could prove valuable in a few seasons. His long, rangy body makes him adept at switching, and if he can figure out a competent offensive package, he could prove a steal. Most of his development this season should come with the Nuggets’ G League team in Grand Rapids.
21 Collin Gillespie (two-way contract)
Guard | 23 | 6-3 | 190
Gillespie starred at Villanova, where he made an important fan in Nuggets coach Michael Malone. His hard-nosed, savvy play might’ve earned him some minutes this season if he hadn’t sustained a leg fracture this summer. The Nuggets still view him as a valuable player.
10 Jack White (two-way)
Forward | 25 | 6-7 | 222
White made an impression on Nuggets officials during Summer League, where he flashed both his athleticism and his rebounding acumen. White, an Australian, is also an underrated shooter.
