Nuggets’ Struggles: Mismanagement and Missed Opportunities

The Denver Nuggets, once seen as a team with championship potential, have recently been making questionable decisions that may cost them future success. With Nikola Jokic, arguably the best player in the world, still in his prime, one would expect the Nuggets to make bold moves to maximize their championship window. However, instead of building a stronger roster around Jokic, Denver seems to be heading in the opposite direction. This pattern of poor management, coupled with some questionable roster decisions, is leading to a crisis that could hinder the team’s chances of adding more titles to their résumé.

The Russell Westbrook Gamble

One of the most controversial moves by the Nuggets’ front office was the signing of 35-year-old Russell Westbrook. While Westbrook was a force to be reckoned with in his prime, his current form is far from what he used to offer on the court. In fact, his tenure with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Clippers has been filled with moments of regret. The Lakers, for instance, signed Westbrook after their first-round playoff exit, a decision they quickly came to regret. Similarly, the Clippers couldn’t wait to move on from Westbrook once they had a chance to bring in James Harden.

So, why would Denver, a team with the reigning MVP, sign a player whose performance has noticeably declined? Westbrook’s high-energy style, which once made him one of the NBA’s elite guards, has diminished, and his penchant for turnovers and inefficiency make him a risky backup option. With Jamal Murray’s history of injuries, the Nuggets do need a reliable backup point guard, but it’s debatable whether Westbrook is the right choice. As Westbrook’s form has waned, he has become increasingly confrontational with the media and resistant to criticism, making his presence potentially disruptive for the team.

Missteps by the Nuggets’ Front Office

Many fans and analysts attribute the Nuggets’ downward trajectory to poor decisions by General Manager Calvin Booth. Booth took over from former GM Tim Connelly, who had been the architect of the Nuggets’ championship team. Connelly, who left for the Timberwolves in 2022, built a roster that not only complemented Jokic’s skill set but also had the depth necessary for a championship run. However, since Booth assumed control, the team has progressively deteriorated.

Booth’s approach to roster management is particularly concerning. After the Nuggets won the championship, they should have focused on bolstering their bench and retaining key players like Bruce Brown and Jeff Green. Instead, Booth allowed these critical role players to walk, opting to rely on younger, unproven talent. He even went as far as to state, “If it costs us a chance to win a championship this year, so be it,” signaling that he was more focused on long-term development than immediate success.

While it’s understandable that teams want to think about sustainability, this decision-making is baffling when Jokic is in his prime. Denver’s window to win championships won’t stay open forever. As an MVP-caliber player, Jokic deserves a team that’s committed to winning now, not one that’s content to develop young players at the expense of a championship run.

The Consequences of Poor Roster Management

The ripple effect of Booth’s decisions became evident in last season’s playoffs. Denver struggled in their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and one of the major factors behind their fatigue was the lack of bench support. Coach Michael Malone, an old-school, win-at-all-costs coach, was left with little choice but to rely heavily on his starters, including Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr., rather than turning to younger players like Peyton Watson or Julian Strawther.

The team’s reliance on their starters, who were visibly fatigued by the later stages of the playoffs, was one of the primary reasons for their downfall. In Game 7 of the series against Minnesota, only one bench player played over 20 minutes. The starters, exhausted from carrying such a heavy load throughout the series, couldn’t maintain their intensity, leading to Denver’s collapse despite being up by 20 points in the second half. The Nuggets’ bench was sorely lacking depth, a consequence of Booth’s decision to prioritize young, inexperienced players over proven veterans.

The decision to let key contributors like Bruce Brown and Jeff Green leave in free agency was a major misstep. Booth cited the new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) as a reason for not retaining them, claiming that the new rules made it difficult to keep expensive players. However, Booth’s poor allocation of resources, such as giving Zeke Nnaji a $32 million contract and overpaying other bench players who barely played, contributed to the team’s financial constraints. Instead of focusing on re-signing essential pieces, Denver spent money on underperforming or untested players.

The Window is Closing for Jokic

The biggest concern for Denver fans is that their championship window may be closing faster than anticipated. Jokic, while still at the top of his game, doesn’t have the same longevity as other superstars like LeBron James. Known for his love of horses and life outside of basketball, Jokic may not be in the NBA for as long as some of his peers. If Denver continues to squander his prime by not surrounding him with the right supporting cast, they may regret it for years to come.

Coach Malone has expressed frustration with the front office’s approach, and former Denver coach George Karl even weighed in, criticizing the team’s lack of urgency. Karl tweeted, “If you have one of the potential top 10 players ever on your team and you’re not doing all you can to help him win more championships, you might be messing with the basketball Gods.”

The frustration is valid. It’s rare to have a player as talented as Jokic, and teams should do everything in their power to capitalize on that. Wasting a year of his prime, as Booth seems content to do, could lead to long-term consequences for the Nuggets.

A Trade That Could Save the Nuggets

One potential solution for the Nuggets would be to trade Michael Porter Jr., who has been inconsistent in the playoffs. Porter’s contract is one of the largest on the team, and his performance in critical moments has been underwhelming. In the 2023 playoffs, his scoring dropped from 15 points in the early rounds to just nine in the finals, with a dismal 14% shooting from three-point range.

A trade package involving Porter could bring in valuable depth and help solidify Denver’s roster. Teams like the San Antonio Spurs, who have excess cap space due to Victor Wembanyama’s rookie contract, could be a potential trade partner. A deal involving players like Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones could give Denver the depth it desperately needs while freeing them from Porter’s burdensome contract.

Conclusion

The Denver Nuggets are at a crossroads. With Nikola Jokic in his prime, the team should be doing everything in its power to compete for championships. However, poor roster management, questionable signings like Russell Westbrook, and a lack of urgency from the front office are threatening to derail their future success. The Nuggets’ window to win is now, and if they don’t act quickly, they risk wasting the best years of one of the NBA’s greatest players.