Can Nuggets’ New Bench Get Them Back to the NBA Finals?

Backup Big Jonas Valanciunas

Next, the Nuggets traded Dario Saric for Jonas Valanciunas. Despite the rumors early on that Valanciunas would leave the NBA to play in Europe, Valanciunas will be playing for the Nuggets next season. For the first time in the 2020s, the Nuggets will have a serviceable backup center behind Jokic that can protect the rim and hold down the fort until the three-time MVP can check back in.

Gone are the days of Zeke Nnaji, DeAndre Jordan, and Thomas Bryant. Jonas Valanciunas brings a defensive presence and stability that the Jokic-era Nuggets have never had from a big man off the bench.

Sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr.

With their last bench move, the Nuggets signed free agent sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. The Nuggets bench seems to have ball handling taken care of with guards Jalen Pickett and Julian Strawther. They also seem to have perimeter defense secure with Bruce Brown and Peyton Watson. What they really needed to do was address their biggest weakness from last season: three-point shooting.

Enter Tim Hardaway Jr., a guy who averaged about six threes a game on 37% shooting last season. The Nuggets need someone who can simply sit in the corner, come off screens, chuck threes, and get hot every now and then. Lucky for them, this suits Hardaway Jr.’s game perfectly.

In addition to the trio of new bench contributors, the Nuggets also already have a slew of young talent. And they just seem to get better and better each year.

The Returners

Peyton Watson has proven to be a vital piece of the team. He has tremendous defensive versatility and shot blocking ability despite only being 6-foot-6. Combine that with his constantly improving shot, and he will be continue to be essential in big moments for Denver.

Julian Strawther, the flamethrower from Gonzaga, has shown his ability to get red hot from beyond the arc. More importantly though, he’s increased his efficiency each year.

Additionally, Jalen Pickett, the Penn State point guard previously buried in the depth chart, may be getting some burn this season. His shooting, offensive distribution, and tenacious defense nicely complement the rest of the team.

Finally, there’s DaRon Holmes, the 2024 first rounder. Despite missing all of last season with a torn ACL, he will be ready to start the year. Though he will have to compete behind Valanciunas, the big man from Dayton has a shooting touch, defensive tenacity, and freakish athleticism. Though it may not be immediate, he will certainly earn minutes down the road.

What Will the Rotation Look Like?

Realistically, the bench unit will consist of Bruce Brown, Julian Strawther, Tim Hardaway Jr., Peyton Watson, and Jonas Valanciunas. However, Pickett and Holmes will likely cycle in every now and then.

Though Brown handled the backup point guard duties on the 2023 team, Pickett could certainly step in and help out there this season. Additionally, Holmes’ ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim could allow him to steal some of Valanciunas’ minutes if he struggles.

Clearly, the Nuggets have reloaded in a major way this offseason, and the rest of the NBA should be worried. In a new era of basketball where teams like the Pacers and Thunder are running 10-man rotations, having this extra help off the bench could be exactly what the Nuggets need to get back to the promised land.