The Denver Nuggets will enter a new face in the franchise trajectory this season with the return of the injured stars Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., per the team’s governor Josh Kroenke.
“We’re entering a new phase of the organization, and with this squad in particular, which is: It’s championship or bust. And this is the first time those words have been uttered around these halls, I think,” Kroenke said, per ESPN.
“We have a two-time MVP, we have two more All-Star-caliber players coming off injuries,” Kroenke continued. “And I think that we are poised in a way that perhaps this organization hasn’t been in the past.”
The Nuggets’ governor also addressed the departure of the former president of basketball operations Tim Connelly, who agreed to a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Connelly will be replaced by General Manager Calvin Booth.
“I’ve always thought very highly of Calvin, I think he’s going to do a wonderful job for us,” Kroenke said, per Mike Singer of The Denver Post. “He’s got a great mind and I think he’s open to suggestions, but he showed me that he can make ruthless decisions when he needs to.”
The Nuggets finished the season as the sixth seed and advanced to the playoffs without needing the play-in tournament. Nikola Jokic carried the franchise to another playoff berth even without his two co-stars alongside him for the whole season.
They played against the NBA Finalists Warriors in the first round and lost the series in five games as they got overwhelmed by the numerous options of their opponents. Jokic was the only bright spot in the series and later was awarded for his great regular season run.
The Serbian big was named the MVP for the second time in the row. The Nuggets will need to improve some parts of their roster going forward. However, they have the building blocks set in place to compete for a championship.
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