Examining The Ceiling For The Denver Nuggets In 2016-17

The Denver Nuggets should be one of the most improved teams in the NBA this season. But what exactly is their ceiling in 2016-17?

Don’t look now, but the Denver Nuggets might just be contenders sooner rather than later. As far as young, up-and-coming teams are concerned, Denver is right in the mix as one of the most promising squads heading into next season.

With a roster loaded with potential, there’s no telling how far the Nuggets can go as soon as this season. But what is a realistic ceiling for this team in 2016-17?

Promise is a good thing to have. It means the team is at least heading in the right direction. But even the most optimistic of fans and analysts realize Denver will not be title contenders this season.

Could this core of players potentially lead them to a championship down the line? Sure it could. But their time is not now. In the immediate future, the Nuggets should be looking to find their way back into the playoffs.

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As for their ceiling? Even in a crowded Western Conference, a realistic goal for this team should be to make the playoffs without being one of the final two seeds. That would put them as the fifth or sixth seed in the West and earn them a matchup with a potentially beatable fourth or third seed.

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Obviously, a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2012-13 would be happy getting into the postseason regardless of their seeding. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t aim higher. So why is a No. 5 or No. 6 seed realistic for the Nuggets?

It comes down to a combination of their rapidly improving team and a Western Conference with some question marks.

The Nuggets themselves have a boat load of talent. It’s just a matter of their young studs coming into their own and the team as a whole finding its identity. Last year, Denver wasn’t particularly good at anything.

They weren’t a defensive team as they allowed 105 points per game, good for 21st in the NBA. They also weren’t much of an offensive team, putting up 101.9 points per game (20th in the league) while shooting 44.2 percent from the field (21st) and 33.8 percent from three (25th).

But there’s reason to be optimistic that they’ll improve on most, if not all of these figures.

Denver addressed their shooting woes in the NBA draft by selecting Jamal Murray, Malik Beasley, and Juan Hernangomez in the first round. All of them are capable of shooting the rock, particularly Murray, who shot 41 percent from three in his lone season at Kentucky.

He figures to play a prominent bench role for the Nuggets early in the season and potentially push himself into a starting role should Gary Harris falter.

Defensively, the Nuggets just need to bank on their guys staying healthy and getting more accustomed to life in the NBA.

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Nikola Jokic has what it takes to be an above-average defender in the league and guys like Emmanuel Mudiay and Gary Harris are expected to keep improving in all facets of the game. Health-wise, it would suit the Nuggets if Jusuf Nurkic could stay on the floor.

He’s already proven to be an effective body in the paint. But staying in the paint seems to be the difficult part as he often finds himself on the bench or in the trainer’s room.

As for the teams they’re competing with in the West, there are no obvious juggernauts aside from the Golden State Warriors. Sure, it would be a disappointment if teams like the Dallas Mavericks or Memphis Grizzlies missed the playoffs, but it wouldn’t be absolutely shocking.

None of the teams that made the playoffs out of the West last year are guaranteed to continue their success aside from Golden State.

The Nuggets might just be able to capitalize on this. With their talent coming into their own and a Western Conference that can be somewhat conquered, a return to the playoffs is well within their reach.

Next: Denver Nuggets: 2016-17 Season Outlook

Their best-case scenario is likely a postseason appearance as a No. 5 or No. 6 seed this season.