Denver NuggetsDenver must put better players around Jokić
Jokić, Murray and Gordon remain the reference points. DeRozan's arrival opens up possibilities, with defence and bench continuity the main areas of work.
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The Denver Nuggets finished the 2025–2026 season with 54 wins and 28 defeats, 3rd place in the West and a first-round playoff exit.
After 54 wins, a different test
David Adelman keeps an experienced core in Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. Last season's record places Denver among the ambitious teams, but the first-round exit is a reminder that a productive attack does not solve every problem in a series. The challenge is to make the group more complete around its leading figures.
per game
per game
per game
DeRozan and the new profiles
DeMar DeRozan, Marvin Bagley III, Alpha Diallo, Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins are among the main arrivals. Peyton Watson, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown have left the group. Cam Whitmore is also in the squad. He can look for a place on the wings, but his playing time remains to be earned. The comings and goings change the rotation: DeRozan brings a half-court creation option, Diallo an outside defensive profile to be integrated and Bagley an extra option in the frontcourt.
- →DeMar DeRozanDeMar DeRozan · joined the squad
- →Marvin Bagley IIIMarvin Bagley III · joined the squad
- →Alpha DialloAlpha Diallo · joined the squad
- →Trevon BrazileTrevon Brazile · joined the squad
- →Bryce HopkinsBryce Hopkins · joined the squad
- ←Peyton Watson · left the squad
- ←Tim Hardaway Jr. · left the squad
- ←Bruce Brown · left the squad
Six offensive benchmarks in the current squad
Points per game, 2025–26 regular season, all teams combined. Six selected players, not an exhaustive ranking.
Nikola Jokić, at the heart of the play
Our reading keeps Jokić at the heart of the offence, Murray as his creative partner and Gordon as a cutting and finishing option. Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson complete our projected starting five. That plausible five is an editorial projection, not an announced line-up. The key is to look at how the other players fit into the passing exchanges and how Denver limits the dips in rhythm when its key men sit.
23 % of the team's scoring average
37 % of the team's assists average
Ratios of 2025–26 per-game averages; the player and the team did not necessarily play the same number of games. SNA estimates of scale, not official shares of totals.
The bench must find its role
Tyus Jones can run the possessions of a second unit. Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones offer options on the wings, while DaRon Holmes II and Zeke Nnaji are among the alternatives inside. We project DeRozan as a possible creative outlet, including in stretches without Jokić; this hypothesis does not present his role as a substitute as a given.
Creation
On the wings
Inside
SNA season projection, not an official starting five or a guaranteed line-up for the opener. Availability as of 15 October: pre-season estimates, not confirmation for the opener.
The three-point shot, player by player
2025–26 regular season, all teams combined. Red line: club average, 39.6%. Players selected with at least one attempt per game.
Availability: the dated update
As of 14 October, Spencer Jones was listed as day-to-day. His availability for the opener is not confirmed.
The squad: 20 players
Official preparation list consulted on 14 October. It includes the players in camp and guarantees neither a final contract nor a place in the rotation. The positions below follow the club's categories, which are broader than the roles envisaged on the court.
| Player | Status | Pts | Reb | Ast | 3PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guards | |||||
| Christian Braun | 12 | 4.8 | 2.7 | 30.1 % | |
| Julian Strawther | Doubtful | – | – | – | – |
| Tyus Jones | – | – | – | – | |
| Ryan Nembhard | – | – | – | – | |
| Alpha Diallo | Rookie | – | – | – | – |
| Jamal Murray | 25.4 | 4.4 | 7.1 | 43.5 % | |
| Dane Goodwin | – | – | – | – | |
| Forwards · versatile positions | |||||
| Cam Whitmore | – | – | – | – | |
| Marvin Bagley III | Rookie | – | – | – | – |
| Trevon Brazile | Rookie | – | – | – | – |
| DeMar DeRozan | RookieDoubtful | 18.4 | 2.9 | 4.1 | 32 % |
| Bryce Hopkins | Rookie | – | – | – | – |
| DaRon Holmes II | – | – | – | – | |
| Emanuel Miller | – | – | – | – | |
| Spencer Jones | Doubtful | – | – | – | – |
| Cameron Johnson | 12.2 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 43 % | |
| Aaron Gordon | 16.2 | 5.8 | 2.7 | 38.9 % | |
| Coleman Hawkins | – | – | – | – | |
| Centres and bigs | |||||
| Nikola Jokic | 27.7 | 12.9 | 10.7 | 38 % | |
| Zeke Nnaji | – | – | – | – | |
2025–26 averages, all teams combined, for the six players documented; they were not all produced with the current club. "–": unverified data or three-point volume below one attempt per game. Availability recorded on 15 October: preseason estimates, not confirmation for the opener. Being on the camp roster guarantees neither a permanent contract nor playing time.
The balance will also be decided off the ball
Jokić's passing allows Denver to create shots by involving several players. The weakness to watch remains defence. Dave Joerger joins Adelman's staff with defence as the priority. The departures on the perimeter force some pairings to be rebuilt. The number of players on the list does not yet show which of them will close out tight games: the answers will depend on their ability to defend and to fulfil their offensive roles together.
The weapons
- The creation of Jokić and Murray.
- An experienced base with Gordon.
Areas to work on
- Defence and bench combinations.
- Continuity when the key players are out.
A team aiming for long playoff runs again
Denver has a foundation to aim for a high seed in the West and go further in the playoffs. That ambition requires a reliable rotation beyond the three key men. The first road trip will provide a demanding benchmark, but progress will have to be assessed over several weeks: defence after a missed shot, the quality of the bench's possessions and the continuity of play around Murray and Jokić.
Denver have a foundation to aim for a high seed in the West and go further in the playoffs.
Pointer: assess combinations over several weeks, without turning the preseason into an established pecking order.
The opening regular-season game is away to Oklahoma City on 23 October at two thirty in the morning, Brazzaville time (one thirty UTC). The game is played on the evening of 22 October in the United States. Time checked on 14 October and subject to change.
Find the Denver Nuggets profile and the page for the first game.
Friday 23 October 2026 at 02:30, Brazzaville time · match centre
- The team’s live schedule appears here.
Countdown to tip-off.