The Nuggets finished a magical season with the first NBA title in franchise history. Once the celebrating is done, it will be time to tweak the roster for next season.
The Miami Heat gave the Denver Nuggets a stiff challenge in the NBA Finals but in the end, Denver only needed five games to come away with their first title. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray will get plenty of accolades but this entire roster made key contributions throughout the season and role players like Bruce Brown, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Aaron Gordon all came up with huge plays to help close it out.
Shrewd roster construction was essential for this Nuggets’ title and even before the parade route is set, the offseason work begins — figuring out how to upgrade for next season. That may mean, unfortunately, that some talented contributors and beloved veterans may not be back next year.
Denver Nuggets who won’t be back next season: 3. Thomas Bryant
Thomas Bryant got himself a ring this season but at the expense of plenty of playing time. He was averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for the Los Angeles Lakers on a 71.2 true shooting percentage. But he wanted more playing time and asked to be traded before the deadline. The Lakers sent him to Denver where he appeared in just 18 games over the rest of the regular season and just a single appearance in the postseason.
Bryant looked like a great deadline pickup for the Nuggets but they didn’t need him down the stretch and, as an expiring contract, his time in Denver is probably over. Bryant will almost certainly be looking for a bigger opportunity and more money than the Nuggets will have for him. He may have inadvertently blown up half a season for himself but at least he’ll be able to call himself an NBA champion.
Denver Nuggets who won’t be back next season: 2. Reggie Jackson
Jackson was another midseason addition that turned out to be mostly redundant for the Nuggets. He was traded from the Clippers to the Hornets at the deadline and eventually bought our for Charlotte. After hitting the open market, Jackson signed with the Nuggets, appearing in just 19 regular-season games. He put up decent scoring and assist numbers but shot just 38.3 percent from the field and 27.9 percent from beyond the arc. Jackson only played six games during this postseason run, for a grand total of 18 minutes.
The Nuggets may be looking for a veteran third point guard to play behind Jamal Murray and Bruce Brown next season. But it seems just as likely to be Ish Smith (whose contract is also expiring this season) or a new face who might have a bit more upside to offer. But at least Jackson can say he won a ring before former Thunder teammates Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
Denver Nuggets who won’t be back next season: 1. Deandre Jordan
DeAndre Jordan played his role to perfection this season — a break-in-case-of-emergency backup big man whose most important contributions would come in the locker room, in experience and mentorship.
Jordan played in just 39 games for 586 total minutes, career lows. But his presence was repeatedly praised throughout the season, including by his head coach Mike Malone:
"“The impact he’s had on our team has been tangible. It’s real. His positivity, his leadership. It’s never been about DeAndre, and that’s not always the case for a 15-year vet. He could easily have said, ‘Man, I’m out of the rotation, screw these guys.’ He’s bought in. I’m just really thankful that he’s here because he’s been very impactful for me as a head coach to have a guy like that.”"
Jordan will have earned his ring but with and expiring contract and a roster suddenly full of championship experience they might look for a backup big with more on-court upside.
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