3 Biggest Questions Facing the Nuggets This Offseason

Following the Nuggets' collapse in the first round, paired with Nikola Jokic's comments noting that the team wasn't close to championship contention, it's clear there could be some majors shakeups in store–– even for some key roster cornerstones like Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.

Murray's value might be at the highest it’s ever been after an All-NBA-caliber regular season, and Gordon's consistent health and availability have become a bit of a concern to hinder the Nuggets' ceiling.

If the Nuggets could find a worthwhile haul for either, it wouldn't be too shocking to see one of those stars on the move this summer, which would make for the biggest de

How Can They Fix the Defense?

Up until a shocking postseason shooting drought, the Nuggets' offense was ranked towards the top of the league in most metrics.

Despite those playoff shortcomings, it'll be Denver's defense that needs the most attention this summer after this group never quite found consistent success on that end of the floor. The Nuggets ranked bottom 10 in the league in defensive rating (117.4), and saw those lapses on full display in their playoff loss to Minnesota.

Whether it be drastic roster changes, minor tweaks around the edges, or relying on better health for better cohesion on that side of the floor, the Nuggets need to have a plan to get stops next year. If not, it'll be hard to expect any different results from the position they're in now.

What Will It Take to Keep Peyton Watson?

The Nuggets appear motivated to retain their breakout wing and restricted free agent, Peyton Watson, headed into this offseason––and for good reason. He's exactly the type of two-way wing this roster needs to have onboard for the future, and was desperately missed in their first-round loss being out with a lingering hamstring injury.

However, with the Nuggets' ownership being unlikely to creep over the luxury tax line, as they've historically shown, keeping Watson will probably come at a cost of one of their current starters, and some depth pieces as he's due for a big payday.

Could that result in a Cameron Johnson trade? A more drastic move of Murray or Gordon? It remains to be seen, but it certainly sets up for an unpredictable, pivotal offseason for the future of this Nuggets roster.