The Denver Nuggets enter the 2026-27 NBA season on a five-game winning streak, but key questions remain for their starting lineup. With training camp approaching, each member of the projected starting five has a specific challenge to address for the team to build on its recent form, which includes a 128-118 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on April 13, 2026.
Can Jamal Murray maintain his All-Star level?
Jamal Murray had a career year in 2025-26, earning his first All-Star nod and a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. He averaged 25.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists while shooting 48.3% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range. His performance was vital for a Nuggets team battling injuries.
Now 29, Murray must prove that season was not an anomaly. The Nuggets' backcourt depth is thin behind him, with Tyus Jones and KJ Simpson as the primary reserves. Denver needs Murray to be the consistent, elite scoring threat he was last season. If he can replicate those numbers, the Nuggets' offense will be in excellent shape. His ability to carry the load is non-negotiable.
Will Christian Braun bounce back from a down year?
Christian Braun's situation is one of the most intriguing. After a breakout 2024-25 season where he averaged 15.4 points on elite 58.0/39.7/82.7 shooting splits, he signed a massive five-year, $125 million extension. Last season did not go as planned. Braun was limited to 44 games and his production dipped to 12.0 points per game on 51.9/30.1/78.2 splits.
Injuries played a part in his struggles. Now 25 and with his new contract officially starting, the pressure is on. Braun cannot afford another season marred by inconsistency and health issues. The Nuggets need the two-way dynamo they paid for, a player who can defend multiple positions and space the floor efficiently. His recovery is a major storyline for the team's ceiling.
Is Cameron Johnson still fully invested in Denver?
For much of the offseason, Cameron Johnson was viewed as the Nuggets' most likely trade candidate. While the team's stance appears to have softened, the trade rumors undoubtedly created uncertainty. Johnson, who has been traded twice in his career, must now buy into a franchise that openly considered moving him.
On the court, he remains a perfect fit. Last season he averaged 12.2 points and shot 43.0% from three-point range, providing essential spacing for Nikola Jokic. His mental approach is the question. Can he compartmentalize the business side and focus on being the reliable three-and-D wing this lineup requires? His engagement level at camp will be telling.
What does Aaron Gordon need to provide?
Aaron Gordon's role is well-defined but ever-important. He is the defensive anchor and connective tissue in the frontcourt alongside Jokic. His athleticism, versatility, and unselfish play are foundational to Denver's identity. The question for Gordon is about sustainability and health.
He must continue to be the elite defender who guards the opponent's best player, whether it's a wing or a big. Offensively, his cutting, finishing, and occasional outside shot keep defenses honest. As he gets older, maintaining his athletic edge and avoiding the wear-and-tear of a long season is key. Gordon's energy sets the tone.
Can Nikola Jokic raise an already historic legacy?
The question for Nikola Jokic is always about how much higher he can climb. He is the engine, the system, and the MVP candidate year after year. The Nuggets' entire strategy is built around his unparalleled passing, scoring, and basketball IQ. With the core intact, Jokic has the pieces around him to make another deep playoff run.
His challenge is to keep the machine humming, to make everyone better, and to be ready for the marathon of an NBA season. The Nuggets' recent 5-0 run to end the previous season shows the potential of this group when healthy and focused. Jokic's leadership in ensuring that momentum carries into the new campaign is the biggest factor of all. You can track the team's progress and upcoming challenges on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.
