Nuggets Finally Deliver on Jokic’s Post-Championship Request
The Denver Nuggets have made a significant turnaround—one that aligns with what Nikola Jokic has been asking for since their 2023 championship run. After being knocked out of the playoffs in the second round by the Thunder, Jokic emphasized that depth and strong rotations are key to success. The front office responded decisively.
Since free agency began, the Nuggets have executed a series of bold and impactful moves. They sent Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson. They also brought back Bruce Brown and added Tim Hardaway Jr., both on one-year veteran minimum contracts, and traded Dario Saric to the Kings in return for Jonas Valanciunas.
This flurry of activity by Jon Wallace and Ben Tenzer—within just a day—accomplished more than what Calvin Booth had managed in recent years. Instead of letting Jokic’s prime years slip by, the Nuggets have repositioned themselves as serious title contenders, even in a Western Conference that’s growing more competitive by the day.
Fulfilling Jokic’s Long-Awaited Wish
Denver’s dominance in the 2023 playoffs faded quickly after they lost several key contributors. Bruce Brown left for the Pacers on a $45 million deal, and Jeff Green signed with the Rockets. The team’s depth took another hit the following year when starter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signed a $66 million deal with Orlando—an investment that hasn’t worked out well for the Magic. To make matters worse, Denver’s free-agent acquisition Dario Saric failed to deliver, and rookie DaRon Holmes II suffered an Achilles tear during Summer League.
Despite having Jokic, one of the league’s most impactful players, Denver has learned the hard way that a championship team needs more than just a superstar—it needs a reliable bench. Oklahoma City proved that in the playoffs. Fortunately, with these recent moves, Denver has rebuilt a strong second unit.
Known for valuing his downtime and maintaining balance, Jokic likely couldn’t help but smile at the Nuggets’ recent roster upgrades. He’ll be reunited with Bruce Brown, have more shooters like Cam Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr. to assist, and most importantly, he can rest knowing the team can stay competitive even when he’s off the floor—thanks in part to the presence of Valanciunas.
