Consider the biggest failures in NBA history when teams haven`t built well around their superstars, leading those stars to demand trades. Damian Lillard stayed in Portland for 11 years and had teammates like LaMarcus Aldridge, an All-Star, and C.J. McCollum, who won Most Improved Player. Anthony Davis, during his time with the Pelicans, played with DeMarcus Cousins in his All-Star season and Jrue Holiday, who received two All-Defense selections. Even LeBron James, known for carrying struggling teams in his first Cleveland stint, managed to get All-Star seasons from Mo Williams and Zydrunas Ilgauskas and an All-Defense year from Anderson Varejao.
However, Nikola Jokić is different. In his decade with the Nuggets, none of his teammates have ever become All-Stars or won individual awards. He`s never played alongside an All-NBA or All-Defense player, or for a Coach or Executive of the Year. His head coach and lead executive were recently dismissed. The only recognition his teammates have received is through All-Rookie selections for Emmanuel Mudiay, Jamal Murray, and Bones Hyland, none of whom made the First Team.
Usually, the easiest way to keep a superstar happy is to surround them with other stars. The Nuggets have done a remarkably poor job at this, compared to almost any other team recently. If this were any other superstar, trade requests would likely be circulating by now.
There might be reasons why Jokić hasn`t requested a trade, but the Nuggets shouldn`t rely on them. Yes, he won a championship in Denver. But championships don`t guarantee lasting contentment, as seen with Giannis Antetokounmpo`s hints of wanting a trade each summer. Jokić seems low-maintenance, but many unassuming stars have become restless. Kawhi Leonard, once the epitome of a Spurs player, showed San Antonio wasn`t immune to player empowerment. Damian Lillard, the face of loyalty in Portland, now plays for the Bucks.
The loyalty of a player like Jokić is not guaranteed and shouldn`t be taken for granted. Even if Jokić commits to Denver for his entire career, wasting his prime is equally bad. He`s arguably one of the top 10 basketball players ever in a highly competitive and improving Western Conference. Teams like the Thunder and Spurs are rising, and Luka Dončić is building a contender with the Lakers. While Jokić alone might have once been enough to contend, it`s not anymore. He needs a capable organization to support him.
In reality, the opposite has often been true. Nuggets management might argue they`ve surrounded Jokić with players who complement his skills, like Aaron Gordon, a lottery pick who became a perfect role player. Russell Westbrook`s resurgence is another example. However, it`s questionable how much credit the front office deserves when Jokić might simply be exceptional. LeBron James couldn`t make Westbrook work, suggesting Jokić`s unique ability to elevate teammates, rather than exceptional front office decisions. He`s lifting them, not the other way around.
If this is true, it raises questions about the current roster, which Jokić hasn`t been able to elevate to guaranteed contention. The Nuggets are projected to win between 47 and 50 games this season, similar to their 48 wins in 2022 when Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. played only nine games combined. Jokić is statistically even better this season, indicating a weaker supporting cast.
Denver Roster Problems
The bench is a major issue. The Nuggets perform significantly worse when Jokić rests, by 18.6 points per 100 possessions. Attempts to fix the bench have largely failed. Mid-level signings like Reggie Jackson, who was later traded, and Dario Šarić, who rarely plays, haven`t helped. Only minimum-salary veteran Westbrook has been somewhat effective, albeit inconsistently. Draft picks like Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett, and Hunter Tyson have shown limited impact. Peyton Watson`s offense hasn`t developed. Letting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope go, trusting Christian Braun to replace him as a starter, has created a void on the bench. Zeke Nnaji`s contract has proven difficult to trade.
The starters, individually, also have weaknesses. While the starting five of Jokic, Murray, Gordon, Porter, and Braun has a strong net rating, it drops significantly when Jokić is absent. This trend has been consistent, with previous starting lineups also struggling without Jokić. Notably, lineups featuring Murray without Jokić have never had a positive net rating over a full season.
This is concerning given Murray`s max contract extension, signed despite a season with injuries and a poor Olympic performance. He`s paid like an All-Star, a level he hasn`t consistently reached outside of short postseason stretches.
The same applies to Michael Porter Jr., who also received a max extension after his rookie contract. Since then, he`s averaged 17.2 points per game with 60.6% true shooting. Tobias Harris, during his criticized max contract with the 76ers, averaged similarly. Porter`s contract has faced less scrutiny due to Jokić`s exceptional play. Denver`s championship, driven by Jokić, has overshadowed questionable contracts.
Now, these contracts might be hindering the team. Even if Murray and Porter contribute positively alongside Jokić, their trade value at their current salaries is questionable because other teams might doubt their impact without him. The same is likely true for Aaron Gordon, who is starting a near $35 million per year extension. Turning 30 soon, and with declining three-point shooting and defensive metrics, his value without Jokić`s playmaking is uncertain.
No Easy Solutions
The Nuggets` high payroll limits free agency additions. Trading draft picks for upgrades is also difficult due to limited tradable first-rounders.
Major player trades are also challenging because core Nuggets` value is tied to playing with Jokić. Gordon`s effectiveness is maximized by Jokić. Porter`s shooting is crucial for Denver, but other teams might not see him as a max-salary offensive force. Murray, while not a clear-cut No. 2 option for most contenders, fits in Denver due to Jokić`s consistency and their pick-and-roll chemistry. Despite their contributions in Denver, their trade value is diminished by their contracts and dependence on Jokić.
Perhaps a highly creative basketball mind could solve these issues, but the Nuggets` history of frugality in front office hires is concerning. Mark Warkentien, Executive of the Year in 2009, wasn`t retained. Masai Ujiri, also an Executive of the Year in 2013, was outbid by the Raptors. Tim Connelly, who drafted Jokić and built the championship core, was poached by the Timberwolves. It`s unlikely the Nuggets will spend big on someone like Bob Myers to fix their problems.
Jokic`s Future?
The situation is becoming bleak, reminiscent of LeBron`s first Cavaliers stint, a situation often ignored until it`s too late. Jokić has been holding the team together, but recent departures of Malone and Booth highlight the growing issues. There`s no clear path to fix them.
Jokić might end up finishing his career on another team. More likely, and sadly, he`ll waste his prime on a team that doesn`t deserve him. This is unprecedented for a player of his historical caliber. Great players have been on bad teams, but consider the examples mentioned earlier.
Davis and Lillard eventually moved on, but they aren`t in Jokić`s historical category. LeBron James, arguably, is. Imagine if LeBron had spent his entire career on a Cleveland team unable to rebuild after his Miami departure. He likely would have eventually won a title, like Jokić in 2023. Even with a weak roster, players of that caliber often achieve a championship given enough chances.
However, we would have missed the full extent of his greatness. We wouldn`t have seen his capabilities in ideal circumstances, alongside comparable players, and how high he could reach without carrying the entire team. His legacy would be about potential, not his realized greatness.
This might be Jokić`s trajectory. He`s under contract through 2026-27 with a player option for 2027-28. He could become the only three-time MVP to never play with another Hall of Famer in their prime. Significantly, every other three-time MVP except Moses Malone has more championships at this point in their careers.
The Nuggets, especially under Booth and to a lesser extent Malone, were unlikely to change this. The organization hasn`t properly supported a generational talent. Their replacements face a difficult task. The team lacks trade assets, is burdened by questionable contracts, and faces the NBA`s most restrictive CBA. Their history suggests they won`t invest in top talent to solve these problems.
Acknowledging the problem is the first step to fixing it. But with Jokić entering his 30s and roster-building challenges mounting, time is running out. If the new coach and general manager hires fail, this era of Nuggets basketball will be remembered as a tragic waste of greatness.
Jasper Hawthorne