Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2017-18: 5 best asset collections

By Connor Learn

DENVER, CO - APRIL 9: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets grabs the rebound against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 9, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 9: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets grabs the rebound against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 9, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Jokic
Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Denver Nuggets

Superstars:

All-Stars: Nikola Jokic (22), Paul Millsap (32)

Young assets: Jamal Murray (20), Gary Harris (23), Emmanuel Mudiay (21), Will Barton (26), Mason Plumlee (27), Malik Beasley (20), Juan Hernangomez (22), Trey Lyles (21), Tyler Lydon (21)

Future picks: Own picks

Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly and General Manager Arturas Karnisovas deserve credit for what the organization has done with personnel. Denver is loaded with interesting young players from the top of its roster to the bottom. The young group succeeded ahead of schedule last season, finishing 40-42 in a brutal Western Conference. Denver could now be poised for the first of many coming playoff berths following the addition of veteran Paul Millsap in the offseason. 

If the Nuggets reach the playoffs this season, they will do so featuring young players at every position. Budding star Nikola Jokic will start at center, and his backup is Mason Plumlee. Millsap will step into the power forward role, and he will be backed up by Juan Hernangomez, Trey Lyles, Kenneth Faried, Darrell Arthur and Tyler Lydon. Veteran Wilson Chandler will return to play small forward, and he will be backed up by Hernangomez and Will Barton. Garry Harris, fresh off of a contract extension, will start at shooting guard and his backups will be Barton, Malik Beasley, and Jamal Murray. Murray will also play some point guard, as will Emmanuel Mudiay and Jameer Nelson.  

The vast majority of the Nuggets team is 27 or under. Millsap, Arthur, Chandler and Nelson are the only players on the roster expected to receive minutes that don’t qualify as young assets.  The Nuggets are teeming with young players on their roster and trades that will help improve the team will come as well. This Nuggets team will continue to grow together for years; the future is bright for the Denver organization.