Denver Nuggets

Retooling Around Championship Core

53-29
Projected Record
3rd-4th
Expected Seed (West)
A-
Offseason Grade
$176.4M
Total Payroll
Financials & Roster
Smart salary cap management

Johnson trade saves money while maintaining talent. Brown return and veteran additions on budget deals.

Cam Johnson value
Bruce Brown return
Budget veteran additions
Coaching
New leadership after upheaval

New coach and GM hired after late-season changes. Must maintain championship culture with fresh perspective.

New coaching staff
Championship culture
Fresh perspective
Identity
Nikola Jokić-centered excellence

Offense runs through Jokić's playmaking. Johnson provides better shooting than MPJ at lower cost.

Jokić orchestration
Improved shooting
Defensive versatility
Championship Path
Core group championship pursuit

Jokić, Murray, Gordon core intact. Improved depth gives playoff advantages over previous season.

Championship core
Improved depth
Playoff experience
Predictions
Contender with improved depth

53-win season, deep playoff run potential. Health and chemistry key to title hopes.

Deep playoff run
Health crucial
Title contender
Offseason Grade
Excellent retooling execution

A- for dramatically improving roster after organizational upheaval. Smart financial moves.

Smart trades
Depth improvement
Financial flexibility

Detailed Analysis

Salary Cap Situation
Current Payroll$176.4M
Tax Threshold
$187.9M
First Apron
$195.9M

Under luxury tax with $11.5M flexibility

Key Financial Moves

Smart Trades

MPJ → Cam JohnsonSalary saved
Saric → ValančiūnasDepth upgraded

Value Signings

Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. provide veteran presence and shooting at minimal cost.