Are these Nuggets enough for Nikola Jokić?
The three-time MVP can solve a lot of problems on his own, but his supporting cast is worrisome in a loaded West.
The Denver Nuggets have been trying to find a way to survive without their star player Nikola Jokić for years. While the team has won games and even a championship, Jokić's absence still negatively impacts their performance. Over the past five seasons, the Nuggets had a +10.8 net rating with Jokić and a -7.5 net rating without him.
Even with Jamal Murray playing without Jokić, the team struggled with a -5.8 net rating. The Nuggets have brought in bigs like DeMarcus Cousins, DeAndre Jordan, Jonas Valančiūnas, Marvin Bagley, DaRon Holmes, Zeke Nnaji, and Trevon Brazile, but their success remains uncertain. The newest addition, DeMar DeRozan, can create shots but struggles with three-point shooting and defense.
The team's backup centers have varying levels of success, with some lacking the size and others showing signs of inconsistency. With Jokić nearing 31, finding a reliable backup big is crucial for the Nuggets' championship aspirations. Even with DeRozan and the backup bigs working together, the team still faces significant challenges, particularly in defense and overall roster stability.
Jokić's desire to stay in Denver remains strong, but he could explore a lucrative offer from another team, making the decision even more complex for the Nuggets.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
