Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images

Bill Simmons says Denver Nuggets’ offseason deal was like a miracle, they ‘finally realized’

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aikansh Chaudhary | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 4:00 PM ET

The Denver Nuggets are preparing to make a run for the 2026 NBA Championship following a strong offseason run.

Last season, the Denver Nuggets were sent home following a hard-fought seven-game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

Following a disappointing postseason, the Nuggets’ top brass has gone all-in to improve the roster around their superstar Nikola Jokic.

In fact, Jeff Teague claimed the Nuggets have won NBA free agency so far. Adding to that, NBA analyst Bill Simmons also applauded the organization.

Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images

Bill Simmons points out what the Denver Nuggets have ‘finally realized’

When a player of Nikola Jokic’s caliber is on the roster, it’s the front office’s duty to build an NBA Championship-contending roster around the said superstar.

Simmons blatantly called out the Nuggets’ failure to do so last season, but they have finally realized the need to do that ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.

“The Nuggets finally realized that they have Nikola Jokic on their team and [are] acting accordingly was one of my dozen things that I absolutely loved,” Simmons said on his podcast.

He added: “I just wanna see Jokic with a good enough team. Yeah, I’m a Celtic fan. I root for certain players. I just like watching Jokic.

“His team wasn’t good enough last year. They didn’t spend enough money on it. It was just a flawed roster.”

Despite a flawed roster, Jokic led the Nuggets to a 50-32 record and helped the team finish as the fourth seed in the Western Conference.

Bill Simmons says Denver Nuggets flipping Michael Porter Jr. into Cam Johnson is a ‘miracle’

Michael Porter Jr. had an underwhelming campaign last season, averaging 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while making $35.8 million.

Getting rid of Porter Jr. was viewed as a key task for the Nuggets this offseason, and they have succeeded in doing so.

The Nuggets traded Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson.

Simmons labeled it a ‘miracle,’ stating: “They still took OKC to seven, which was a borderline f______ miracle. And you know what else is a miracle, turning Michael Porter Jr. into Cam Johnson, saving $17 million a year.”

“And maybe, I don’t know if it’s necessarily an upgrade ’cause I do think Porter, if he’s healthy and his shoulder’s not f_____ up, did some okay things for them. He sucks on defense… this is a miracle for them to shave money,” Simmons concluded.

In contrast, Johnson put up 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game last season. But the biggest upside to having him is his $21.05 million salary for the upcoming season.

This has allowed the Nuggets to get creative and welcome free agents like Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. to the roster on one-year deals.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: