The Denver Nuggets enter the 2026-27 season with championship aspirations, building around Nikola Jokić and a retooled roster after a 54-28 campaign last year. They are currently in strong form, riding a three-game winning streak highlighted by a 116-93 victory over the Golden State Warriors on March 30, 2026. The team's recent run, with a 4-1 record in their last five games, provides momentum as they look ahead. Their offseason was busy, adding veterans and defensive help to support their elite offense.
The Nuggets finished third in the Western Conference last season but fell in the First Round. Their summer was defined by significant roster changes. Key additions include veteran scorer DeMar DeRozan and defensive specialist Alpha Diallo, alongside Marvin Bagley III, Trevon Brazile, and Bryce Hopkins. These moves aim to replace the production lost with the departures of Peyton Watson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown.
DeRozan brings a proven mid-range scoring punch. Diallo, the EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year, is expected to address a clear weakness. Denver ranked 21st defensively for two straight seasons, a problem for a team that led the NBA in offense last year. Diallo's wing defense could be vital.
Denver's foundation remains its star trio. Nikola Jokić is the league's top player, a unique passer with a career true shooting percentage of 64.1%, the highest ever among high-volume scorers. Jamal Murray is coming off a career year, playing 75 games and averaging 25.4 points. He aims for his first All-Star nod in his tenth season.
Aaron Gordon's health is a major factor. He played only 36 games last season. A full season from Gordon would stabilize the frontcourt. Coach David Adelman's preferred starting lineup went 18-5 in just 23 games together, showing their potential when intact.
All eyes are on Alpha Diallo. The 27-year-old rookie wing arrives with a reputation as a stopper. His athleticism and wingspan are tools Denver desperately needs on the perimeter. If he can reliably guard opposing shooting guards and small forwards, he will earn significant minutes.
His offensive game is a work in progress. But with Jokić, Murray, and Gordon generating points, Diallo's job is simple: smother scorers. His integration is the biggest swing factor for improving a defense that has held the team back.
Denver's offense is a sure thing. They have ranked in the top seven offensively for ten consecutive seasons. Last season, they scored 6.4 points per 100 possessions more than the league average, their best mark in that decade. Jokić guarantees that efficiency.
The questions are depth and defense, especially after losing Watson. The schedule presents an early test with 14 of the first 22 games on the road. Key matchups include a December 2 showdown with Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, and a January 30 clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder. How they handle that opening stretch will set the tone.
Their recent results show both their power and their vulnerability. After the win over Golden State, they edged the Phoenix Suns 125-123 on March 25 and crushed the Houston Rockets 129-93 on March 12. But they also suffered a heavy 125-93 loss to Oklahoma City in last season's playoffs on May 18, 2025. The path forward relies on health, defense, and their new pieces fitting around a legendary center.
