Denver Nuggets: 3 takeaways from tough Game 7 loss vs. Blazers

1. This core can make some noise

Jokic, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray still have a year left before Murray’s contract has to be extended or ended (though he could be extended this summer). They have the ability to make noise in the Western Conference. They didn’t finish second in the conference on a fluke. Their issues came down to problems that can be worked on with time and experience together. The key will be to let the journey take its course without trying to skip steps.

In addition to the players they’ll be bringing back next season, they should be getting last year’s first round draft pick, Michael Porter Jr., back from the back injury that sidelined him for his entire rookie season. He has the 3-and-D potential they need on the wing, and he would further strengthen their wing rotation if he wasn’t ready to start right away.

Some teams attempt to jump into a window of competing because they aren’t sure it will stay open for long. Denver has a ton of youth on its roster, and for the vast majority of the team, this was their first real taste of the playoffs. They’re going to need time to get to the next level. Teams don’t come into the playoffs and win it all on the first go. Portland, for all of its faults, had the experience, and it paid off. Denver just has to continue to keep growing.