Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins has delivered a blunt assessment of the Denver Nuggets, stating the franchise cannot afford to waste Nikola Jokić's greatness and must aggressively upgrade its roster. The warning comes as the Nuggets prepare for their next preseason fixture against the LA Clippers on October 14, following a 133-128 win over the Chicago Bulls on October 11.
Perkins, an ESPN analyst and 2008 NBA champion, believes the Nuggets are failing to maximize the talents of their superstar center. He made his comments on the show 'NBA Today.' "No, they're not, and it's a shame," Perkins said when asked if Denver was getting the most from Jokić. "We're talking about a top-10 center of all time."
He went further, suggesting the celebrated partnership between Jokić and Jamal Murray may have run its course. Perkins argued Murray needs to raise his game even more for Denver to return to the NBA Finals. The duo has played nine seasons together, with Murray earning his first All-Star and All-NBA nods last season after averaging 25.4 points and 7.1 assists.
The urgency stems from a competitive Western Conference and Jokić's age. Jokić turns 32 in February and, while still dominant, the clock is ticking on his prime. The Nuggets' first-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves last season highlighted roster flaws. Denver's defensive rating ranked 21st in the league at 116.0.
Perkins pointed to the loss of two-way wing Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade as a problem. Watson averaged 14.6 points and 1.1 blocks in a breakout year. The team is now banking on bounce-back years from Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun. The addition of veteran scorer DeMar DeRozan does little to fix last season's defensive issues.
Meanwhile, rivals have strengthened. The Timberwolves added Jonathan Kuminga and LaMelo Ball. The San Antonio Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama, reached the Finals last year. The Oklahoma City Thunder remain a powerhouse. Denver's preseason results-a split with the Utah Jazz (a 117-106 win on October 6 and a 109-97 loss on October 4) and the win over Chicago-offer limited insight into their readiness for these challenges.
The immediate focus is the final preseason game against the LA Clippers. After that, the real work begins. The front office faces pressure to be active before the trade deadline. Perkins emphasized the need for great two-way wing play, a clear area of need after Watson's departure.
The core of Jokić, Murray, and Aaron Gordon is proven. But the supporting cast must improve for a deep playoff run. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our schedule page. With Jokić in his prime, the Nuggets have no time to waste. Every season without a title is a missed opportunity with a generational talent leading the way.
