Denver Nuggets: 5 takeaways from the 2018-19 NBA season

3. Nuggets need more frontcourt depth

In the playoffs, the Nuggets’ frontcourt rotation consisted of Jokic, Paul Millsap, Mason Plumlee and Craig in small-ball lineups. None of them is a defensive stalwart at the rim, although each performed admirably at times. Defensive-minded bigs are easier to find than shooting wings or two-way point guards, so it will be up to them to use their cap space to go find a player that can make an impact when the games matter most.

In the Western Conference, every team had a player or two that could make his hay at the rim. The Nuggets didn’t have anyone that could consistently stop those players. It ultimately bit them when CJ McCollum, LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard were carving them up on a nightly basis.

Head coach Michael Malone had no issues keeping his bigs on the floor, and he can go to two-big lineups. He just has to make sure that he has a rim protector on the floor when he does so. Teams know they can go at Jokic to put him in foul trouble or get easy buckets. Neither outcome is good for the Nuggets. They don’t need a stud in the frontcourt, but they could use a guy with some spring that can hustle and block shots when called upon.