The Denver Nuggets go into the NBA offseason with the only resource that can improve their roster: health.
For the second year in a row, Denver played outnumbered; last year without guard Jamal Murray and this year without Murray and without forward Michael Porter Jr.
The results were a second-round win against the Phoenix Suns in 2021 and a five-game opening-round loss to the Golden State Warriors in 2022.
Why Denver ranks 7th in the NBA Future Power Rankings
state of the team
Roster Status: Mastery level – but only if you are healthy
This statement is not indicative of the work performance of Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly and coach Michael Malone. The two continue to represent the gold standard for running an NBA franchise.
But this Denver team has confirmed that even with an MVP on the list without Murray and Porter, it can only go so far. Murray missed the entire season after left cruciate ligament surgery and Porter has missed most of 2021-22 after a third back operation.
2 relatives
After reaching the Conference Finals in 2020, the Nuggets were swept out of the playoffs in 2021, suffering a five-game loss this season. In the last two series, Denver has been outperformed by an average of 14.8 points.
When the three shared the court last year before Murray’s injury, Denver had an offensive efficiency of 123.9, the highest among 154 trios playing 600 minutes, according to ESPN Stats & Information. They also outperformed their opponents with 14.9 points per 100 possessions in 784 minutes.
Murray and Porter are slated to earn $62 million together in 2022-23, and with Aaron Gordon’s renewal beginning, Denver will pay a luxury tax penalty for the first time since 2009-10.
Factor in the Jokic supermax expansion and the Nuggets will have a guaranteed salary of $132 million for 2023-24 for four players.
Future finances leave no room for error for the Nuggets to contend for a championship unless that roster is fully healthy.
The reigning MVP and this season’s favorite for the award will join an exclusive club. Jokic is expected to become not only the ninth player to sign a Supermax contract, but also the first second-round pick and the youngest player to do so.
As of now, the five-year, $254 million contract would be the largest in NBA history.
2023-24: $43.8 million
2024-25: $47.3 million
2025-26: $50.8 million
2026-27: $54.3 million
2027-28: $57.8 million
According to ESPN Stats & Information, 2021-22 was a season of firsts for Jokic. He became the first player:
With 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists in one season
Averaged 25 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists in a season
To lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and field goal percentage in a season since steals and blocks became official in 1973-74
Finishing in the top 10 in PPG, RPG, APG, and field goal percentage in a season since 1969-70, when points, rebounds, and assists leaders were first based on per-game averages
Account for 25% of his team’s rebounds and 25% of his team’s assists in a season since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967-68
With 19 triple-doubles at center since Chamberlain (31 1967-68 and 22 1966-67)
Jokic has also proven to be one of the more durable players in the NBA. He has missed just 24 games since 2015 and has appeared in at least 70 games each season, including the truncated 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
future finances
The Nuggets are the only teams with a maximum of three players on their roster, along with the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets and Warriors.
Friday, April 29th
Grizzlies at Wolves game 6
Warriors at Nuggets Game 6*
Sunday May 1st
Bucks v Celtics, Game 1, 1 p.m
*If necessary
All times Easter
The company of big-market teams now comes with a financial penalty and restrictions on how the Nuggets can expand their roster at open hands. As we highlighted above, a healthy Murray and Porter justify the expense for a team that lost in the first round.
The question heading into the off-season is whether the property will authorize the use of a $6.3 million mid-level exemption to sign a free agent. If Denver uses the exemption, it will cost them an additional $14 million for the luxury tax.
Below is a breakdown of the salaries of the four key players Denver have on the books for the next four seasons:
| player | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokić | $33.0M | $43.8M | $47.3M | $50.8M |
| Jamal Murray | $31.7M | $33.8M | $36.0M | |
| Michael Porter Jr. | $30.5M | $32.9M | $35.4M | $37.8M |
| Aaron Gordon | $19.7M | $21.3M | $22.8M | $24.4M |
| In total | $114.9M | $131.8M | $141.5M | $113 million |
Off-season cap breakdown and depth chart
Denver Nuggets 2022-23 Salary Breakdown
| player | cap fee |
|---|---|
| 1. Nikola Jokic | $33,047,804 |
| 2. Jamal Murray | $31,650,600 |
| 3. Michael Porter Jr. | $30,500,000 |
| 4.Aaron Gordon | $19,690,909 |
| 5. Will Barton | $14,375,000 |
| 6. Monte Morris | $9,125,000 |
| 7. JaMychal Green | $8,200,000 (player option) |
| 8. Jeff Green | $4,500,000 (player option) |
| 9. Zeke Nnaji | $2,617,800 |
| 10. Bone Hyland | $2,201,400 |
| 11. Bryn Forbes1 | $5,400,000 (Free Agent Hold) |
| 12.Facundo Campazzo2 | $4,160,000 (Free Agent Hold) |
| 13. Austin Rivers3 | $1,811,516 (Free Agent Hold) |
| 14. DeMarcus Cousins1 | $1,811,516 (Free Agent Hold) |
| 15. Vlatko Cancar4 | $2,228,276 (Free Agent Hold) |
| 16.Mark Howard2 | $1,811,516 (Free Agent Hold) |
| 17. Of which Reed5 | $1,616,044 (Free Agent Hold) |
| 18. First Class (Own) | $2,886,480 (draft hold) |
| Guaranteed salary | $158.8M* |
| Free agent hold | $18.8M |
| 2022-23 NBA SALARY LIMIT | $122 million |
| 2022-23 NBA LUXURY TAX LINE | $147 million |
| 1. Non-bird | |
| 2. Limited early bird price | |
| 3. Early risers | |
| 4. Restricted Bird | |
| 5. Restricted non-bird | |
| *Note: Guaranteed salary includes first round selection cap | |
Denver Nuggets depth chart
| PG | SG | SF | PF | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J Murray | W Barton | M Porter Jr. | A Gordon | N. Jokic |
| M Morris | B. Hyland | je. GreenP | Z.Nnaji | |
| Yes. GreenP | ||||
| P: Player option | ||||
team needs
Resources for creating the roster
NBA draft: first-round pick
Exception: $6.4 million in tax funds
Cash: $6.3 million to send or receive via trade
Dates to look at
20th June: The Nuggets will be keeping an eye on that date. Forwards JaMychal Green ($8.2 million) and Jeff Green ($4.5 million) have a choice to exercise their player option or become a free agent. Jeff Green has played at least 65 games in 12 of his 14 seasons, including 75 in his freshman year with the Nuggets. In Porter’s absence, Green started 63 games, averaging 10.6 points and shooting 53.8% from the field. If he declines his option, the maximum Denver can commit him to is $5.4 million or the mid-level tax exemption of $6.3 million. JaMychal Green averaged the second-lowest career minutes (16.2) and points (6.4). If he declines his option, the Nuggets can sign him for an initial salary of $9.8 million. He has set up early bird rights, but if the pay rise exceeds 120% over the previous season, the contract must last at least two seasons.
June 29: Facundo Campazzo ($4 million), Vlatko Cancar ($2.2 million), Markus Howard ($1.8 million) andDavid Reed ($50,000) are eligible for a one-year qualifying offer.
June 30th: Porter’s $176.9 million rookie max expansion is based on a projected salary cap of $122 million for 2022-23. Total and annual salary will become final when the NBA releases the new caps before free agency begins.
limitations
The Nuggets can trade their 2022 first-round picks, but only on draft night. They owe both the Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic a future first-round pick. Denver can trade a future first — no earlier than 2027 — but since the first one owed to Orland is protected, there’s no guarantee the acquiring team will get it. You are initially allowed to trade a 2029, but it cannot be carried over to the next season due to the seven year rule.
Extension possible
Murray is entering the third year of the Rookie Max extension he signed in 2019 and is eligible to sign for two more seasons and up to $85.9 million. It’s highly unlikely the Nuggets would sign a new deal with Murray right now.
Backup guard Monte Morris signed a three-year, $27.4 million extension in December 2020 and is set to sign a second extension on Aug. 28. The new contract can be valid for an additional three seasons and up to $42.2 million in new money. In Murray’s absence, Morris averaged career-high minutes (29.9), points (12.6), and assists (4.4). He is under contract until the 2023–24 season if an extension is not achieved before the start of the 2022–23 regular season.
The Nuggets have their own first-round pick in June, but are limited on their future fortunes:
They owe Oklahoma City a top 14 protected first in 2023, 2024 or 2025. Two years after the first was sent to The Thunder, the Magic’s Nuggets will be sending a Top 5 Protected First.
For example, if the Thunder get the 2023 of the Nuggets first, Orlando would then get a 2025, 2026, or 2027 top five protection first.
Here’s how ESPN’s Mike Schmitz picked Denver in June:
No. 21 (own): EJ Liddell | PF | State of Ohio
One of the most improved players in college, Liddell has made himself a first-round pick by modernizing his play at both ends of the floor as a powerful 4/5. He’s downsized, developed as a perimeter shooter (38% out of 3), expanded his playstyle to include dribbling, became an asset in switch situations and, thanks to his superb timing and never-ending engine, has become a true defensive anchor for developed the Buckeyes.
Scouts still have questions about Liddell’s long-term advantage given his standing no taller than 6-foot-7 with average position length, a shallow jumper who takes time to adjust to the NBA line, and a somewhat power-dependent game.
Can Liddell Score Efficiently Against NBA Caliber Rim Guards? If not, is he a skilled shooter, passer and ball carrier to be an asset? Does Liddell portray himself as more of an energetic guy, or is he the next college winner who scouts overlook due to his less-than-stellar readings and underestimated his incredible intangibles, productivity, basketball IQ and toughness?