The Denver Nuggets recently faced their second consecutive second-round playoff elimination after pushing the eventual champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, to a full seven games last season. Despite the near upset, the team recognized the need to adapt their roster around their core stars Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon to enhance their championship prospects.
During the offseason, Denver executed several key moves, starting with trading Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson, a strong perimeter shooter. This deal not only bolstered the team’s shooting but also provided valuable salary cap space. Subsequently, the Nuggets signed free agents Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. and acquired Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings to deepen their bench strength.
Nikola Jokic Shares Top Ranking in NBA 2K26 Player Ratings
On Thursday, the NBA 2K26 player ratings were unveiled, confirming Nikola Jokic among the elite. Jokic earned a 98 overall rating, which ties him with Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the highest rating in the game. Both players had outstanding seasons, with Shai narrowly edging Jokic in the MVP voting.
“BREAKING: NBA2K26 ranks the top 10 NBA players:Nikola Jokic: 98Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 98Giannis Antetokounmpo: 97Luka Doncic: 95Anthony Edwards: 95LeBron James: 94Steph Curry: 94Jayson Tatum: 94Victor Wembanyama: 94Kevin Durant: 93 pic.twitter.com/tkwDQezxVA” — Legion Hoops
Jokic’s extraordinary performance in the previous season included averages of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, while boasting highly efficient shooting percentages of 57.6% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc. His rare feat of maintaining a triple-double average for an entire season places him alongside NBA legends Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson.
Looking Ahead: Jokic’s Leadership and Team Ambitions
Despite falling short of a fourth MVP award, Nikola Jokic remains viewed as one of the game’s greatest active players. As the Nuggets integrate new pieces like Johnson, Brown, Hardaway Jr., and Valanciunas, there is cautious optimism that these additions will complement Jokic’s unique skill set. The team’s revamped roster and deepened bench give Denver renewed hope in challenging the Thunder and competing for a championship next season. Jokic will also strive to claim the MVP honor once again with another strong campaign.