Denver Must Fix Development Pipeline to Fulfill Jokic’s Long-Term Vision

Denver Must Fix Development Pipeline to Fulfill Jokic’s Long-Term Vision

Nikola Jokic has made it clear: he wants to spend his entire NBA career with the Denver Nuggets. But for that dream to materialize, the franchise must address a critical weakness—its declining ability to draft and develop talent.

Once known for its savvy draft strategy, Denver has recently struggled to convert picks into reliable contributors. This failure has limited the team’s depth and placed an unsustainable burden on Jokic, now entering his 11th season. Despite a championship and two Conference Finals appearances, back-to-back second-round exits have sparked questions about Jokic’s long-term commitment.

In a recent interview with Arnie Melendrez Stapleton of The Associated Press, Jokic reaffirmed his loyalty: “My plan is to be a Nugget forever.” Yet he also acknowledged that contract extensions are earned, not guaranteed, especially in today’s evolving NBA landscape.

To support Jokic’s vision, Denver must improve its internal development. While the current roster includes homegrown stars like Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, and Jokic himself, recent draft outcomes have been mixed. First-round picks Zeke Nnaji and Bones Hyland failed to meet expectations, and while Braun was a hit in 2022, subsequent additions like Julian Strawther have seen limited action.

The Nuggets have made progress in building depth through trades—adding Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas—but long-term success hinges on cultivating talent from within. Players like DaRon Holmes, Jalen Pickett, Peyton Watson, and Kessler Edwards offer promise, but they need consistent opportunities to grow.

Braun’s emergence on a rookie-scale deal enabled Denver to part ways with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and free up cap space. However, with Braun and Watson approaching restricted free agency in 2026, and Pickett and Strawther following in 2027, the window to develop cost-effective contributors is closing.

If the Nuggets want Jokic to retire in Denver, they must recommit to drafting wisely and nurturing their young talent. The pieces are in place—but the execution must improve.