The Denver Nuggets are heading into the 2026-27 NBA season under immense pressure, carrying the same starting lineup that faltered last year but with a significantly weaker bench. Their recent 116-93 victory over the Golden State Warriors on March 30, 2026, is part of a solid 4-1 run in their last five games, but bigger questions loom about their championship viability.
The 2025-26 campaign was a major letdown. Injuries crippled the team all year. Key players like Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun never found their rhythm. The problems worsened in the playoffs when Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson were sidelined. This led to a shocking first-round loss to a Minnesota Timberwolves team missing Anthony Edwards.
Fans were furious. Trade rumors swirled around even core players like Jamal Murray. Team president Josh Kroenke stated that "everything is on the table" except moving Nikola Jokic. Everyone expected a dramatic summer overhaul. Instead, salary-cap constraints forced the front office into a corner.
The handling of Peyton Watson's contract became a symbol of their troubles. Watson was emerging as a star, putting up 14.6 points per game and shooting 41% from three-point range. Denver saw his free agency coming but did nothing to prepare. They lowballed him with a $17.5 million offer over four years, far below his market value.
With no cap space, their only move was a weak sign-and-trade. They sent Watson away for a 2031 first-round pick, a 2032 second-rounder, and Julian Reese. Losing a key young piece for distant future assets felt like a step back. The Nuggets also couldn't afford to re-sign shooter Tim Hardaway Jr., who averaged 13.5 points per game.
In a bleak summer, signing DeMar DeRozan to a veteran minimum deal was a bright spot. The six-time All-Star averaged 18.4 points per game last season. He provides desperately needed scoring punch for a second unit that was gutted. DeRozan's mid-range mastery and playmaking offer a different look next to Jokic's passing.
But he's one addition against multiple subtractions. The bench, once a strength, is now a clear vulnerability. This puts enormous strain on the starters to stay healthy and perform at an elite level every night. Jokic remains the best player in the world, but the supporting cast has undeniably thinned.
The core of Jokic, Murray, Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and Johnson is proven. Their recent form, including wins over Phoenix (125-123 on March 25) and Houston (129-93 on March 12), shows they can dominate. However, their 93-125 loss to Oklahoma City in last year's playoffs lingers as a warning.
Any significant injury to a starter could be catastrophic. The front office's decision to prioritize financial flexibility over immediate help has left the margin for error razor-thin. Fans are right to question the direction. The time to win is now, with Jokic in his prime. This season will reveal if the current roster, as constructed, is enough.
