Denver Nuggets
In third place comes the Denver Nuggets.
While they didn’t make too much noise this offseason, in OKC’s firesale following the Russell Westbrook trade, Denver picked up Jerami Grant, an underrated forward to solidify their backcourt.
The Nuggets weren’t too far off from being true contenders this season. With Nikola Jokic, one of the league’s only unicorns leading the charge, the Nuggets should continue to get better with experience.
Murray (22), Harris (24) and Jokic (24) make up the Nuggets core, and as each continues to gain that valuable experience, they’ll continue to get better both individually and as a team. At 54-28, the Nuggets finished second in the West, losing to the Trail Blazers in the Western semis.
Overall, the Nuggets may not have that dynamic superstar leader, but they’re jammed pack with top-tier talent. As Harris was out the majority of last season, the Nuggets failed to really get in a rhythm with their entire team.
This year, if all goes well, they’ll play all 82 games with their core and be locked in once the playoffs begin. This team will be dangerous and should be a true title contender.