Preseason Record: 1-4
The Denver Nuggets are missing a key star just like the LA Clippers, but unlike them, they still have their MVP-level player and a stronger roster around them to help fill in the gap. The loss of Jamal Murray keeps the Nuggets out of title contention, but Nikola Jokic put together an all-time MVP season year ago and there is only so far a team with a player like that can fall.
Jokic will also have help, primarily in the person of Michael Porter Jr. The young forward just inked a max extension and could see his scoring totals rise above 20 points per game at the very least. His partner on the forward line is Aaron Gordon, a new owner of an extension himself, providing the defense and secondary passing to be the yin to Porter’s yang.
Denver can mix-and-match options in the backcourt to make up for the loss of Murray. Will Barton will start at the 2, and Monte Morris is the first option to start at point guard. Exciting rookie Bones Hyland could crack the rotation, while free-wheeling Facundo Campazzo and tough-nosed PJ Dozier will provide a different look off the bench.
Bold Prediction: Jamal Murray does return by the end of the season, and the Nuggets win a playoff series. This is the mirror version of the Clippers’ prediction. Murray suffered his injury earlier than Leonard, and is younger; that combination could carry him back into the lineup during the last month of the season. Even if he is not 100 percent his shot-making will inject some juice into the Denver attack. The Nuggets could win a series even without him – they did last year – but with him, they will be a strong candidate to do so.