Exit Survey: 3 goals for the wounded Denver Nuggets

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 18: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks to pass around Andrew Wiggins #22 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on April 18, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

3 goals for the wounded Denver Nuggets: 2. Don’t panic about early exit

Although we’ve already spoken about championship windows closing quickly, it is really important that the Nuggets don’t panic this offseason. They simply need to stay the course and keep on this path, and they will get back to true contention next season. Having a two-time league MVP is pretty much the best place you can start.

But the Nuggets are also further down the path than the likes of the Memphis Grizzlies and even Dallas Mavericks. Should both of those teams go home in the second round, and it looks like they will, then they will need to have serious conversations about restructuring their roster in a significant way for next year.

The Nuggets don’t need to do that. They should always be open to taking a phone call, but there is no panic move to make. Even Michael Porter Jr., the enigma who has now been given a ton of money but spent most of the season on the shelf, shouldn’t be rushed out of town if a juicy deal comes along.

Even if the Brooklyn Nets wanted to get rid of Ben Simmons, is there a deal the Nuggets could or would make to get a second, All-Star level player? We have spoken about the need for a co-star, but they don’t need to tear everything up in pursuit of one. Injuries hurt the Nuggets during the season, yet they had the sixth-best offensive rating (113.8) in the league.

Defensively, they were league average (111.5), while at 27.8 a night, they had the third most assists in the league. This explains in broad strokes why Jokic was the MVP again, but it also shows that there is a solid system in place. Over 20 teams in the NBA don’t have that and are trying to find it, so the Nuggets are still in a good place.

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