NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley recently commended the Denver Nuggets for executing one of the league’s top offseasons, placing their efforts alongside those of the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks. After being eliminated in the conference semifinals for the second year in a row, the Nuggets made significant roster changes to enhance their championship prospects, centered around their star Nikola Jokic.
Key moves included trading Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson and a first-round draft pick. The Nuggets also retained Bruce Brown, a crucial sixth man during their 2023 title run, and added Tim Hardaway Jr., who delivered a strong performance last season with the Detroit Pistons. Additionally, Denver traded Dario Saric for Jonas Valanciunas to address the backup center position.
Financially Savvy Moves Strengthen Roster Depth
The Nuggets’ offseason was not only focused on improving talent but also managing payroll efficiently. By moving Porter Jr.’s sizable $38.3 million salary, they secured four role players with a combined cost of $35.6 million for the upcoming season. This financial flexibility allowed Denver to deepen their roster without blowing up their salary structure.
Speaking to The Denver Post, Barkley praised the Nuggets’ summer moves:
“I think (the Nuggets) and the Houston Rockets have probably had the best summers (in the NBA). And (the Nuggets), they’ve got the best player in the world (in Nikola Jokic).” —Charles Barkley, NBA Legend
“They just needed some more depth. They kind of broke the team up after they won the first championship (2023), and that’s really unfortunate. (They’ve) still got the best player. You want to give them as many opportunities as possible. But I thought they had a great summer.” —Charles Barkley, NBA Legend
Boosting Athleticism and Defensive Prowess
One of the Nuggets’ weaknesses in previous playoff runs was bench depth and defensive consistency. Barkley noted that the new additions made Denver more athletic, which was crucial to match the Western Conference’s elite teams. He saw this upgrade as essential for overcoming their playoff obstacles and competing for another title.
“First of all, (the Nuggets) got terrific (additions). I think they got more athletic, which they really needed to do.” —Charles Barkley, NBA Legend
The starting lineup, led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, had proven strong, but the lack of reliable backup players hindered Denver’s ability to push past strong opponents like the Oklahoma City Thunder. This offseason‘s roster changes aim to correct that imbalance.
OKC Thunder’s Lu Dort Reflects on Tough Battles Against Denver
The Thunder’s impressive postseason performance included a hard-fought seven-game series against the Nuggets in the conference semifinals, where even Oklahoma City’s star defender Lu Dort acknowledged the challenge posed by Jokic’s squad. In a July 2 interview with ESPN, Dort shared his respect for Denver’s competitiveness:
“Denver Nuggets was the one that had us shaking a little bit,” Dort said. “They won before and had been in that type of position.” —Lu Dort, OKC Thunder Defender
Though many doubted the Thunder due to their inexperience, they showed resilience and poise by advancing past seasoned playoff teams like Denver and Minnesota. Their tough contests highlighted the Nuggets’ need for strategic roster improvements.
Implications for the Upcoming NBA Season
The Denver Nuggets’ focus on adding depth, athleticism, and defensive capabilities reflects a clear plan to strengthen their championship contention after falling short in recent years. With Nikola Jokic continuing to anchor the team, the offseason moves should provide Denver with more options to face the best teams in the Western Conference.
As the 2024 NBA season unfolds, fans and analysts will closely watch how these new pieces fit into the rotation and whether the Nuggets can finally surpass rivals like the OKC Thunder to pursue another title run.