Denver Nuggets: Five things you need to know

• Nikola Jokić transformed the franchise
• Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. form a dynamic young core
• First NBA championship in 2023 after decades of playoff disappointment

The Denver Nuggets are an NBA franchise who plays out of the Northwest division in the Western Conference. The Colorado franchise, led by superstars Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray triumphed in their first and only NBA Championship in 2023. With almost 60 years of history, the 2020s decade has delivered the franchise to new heights, fielding championship contending teams year after year.

2024-25 NBA Season Summary

• Record: 50-32
• Finish: 4th seed (Lost in Conference Semi-finals)
• All-Star Selections: Nikola Jokić

The Denver Nuggets 2024/25 season ended in the second round of the playoffs, when eventual champions the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated them in seven games. The Denver Nuggets boasted one of the strongest offences in the league last year, ranking third in points per game and first in assists per game. Denver’s defence is what let them down last year, ranking 25th in the league, giving up 116.9 points per game.

2025 off-season Moves

Re-signing: N/A

Ins: Bruce Brown agrees to 1-year deal; Cam Johnson joins via trade with Nets; Tim Hardaway Jr. agrees to 1-year deal; and Jonas Valančiūnas joins via trade with Kings

Departures: Michael Porter Jr. departs via trade with Nets; and Dario Šarić departs via trade with Nuggets

Denver has had an immense offseason, bringing in four players who all contribute crucially to the needs of the side. The addition of Cam Johnson stands out, given he is expected to fill the void left by NBA Champion Michael Porter Jr. As his replacement, Johnson offers more of a defensive presence at the wing and shoots identical numbers from beyond the arc. Denver’s acquisition of Cam Johnson secured them a more versatile player than Porter Jr for $17 million less.

The return of Bruce Brown and the addition of Tim Hardaway Jr, provide Denver with much needed depth at the guard/forward positions. As a member of the 2023 NBA Champion Nuggets side, Bruce Brown offers that up-tempo and energetic style that Denver fans remember from his crucial contributions in the 2023 NBA Finals.

The acquisition of Jonas Valančiūnas is the Denver Nuggets finally addressing the lack of size and depth behind superstar Nikola Jokić. Going into the 2025/26 season, the Denver Nuggets have reworked their starting lineup and bench unit and look poised to challenge in the West. The Nuggets defence is much more equipped to go head-to-head with the league’s leading attacks, which could set the Nuggets up to relive the glory felt in their 2023 win.

2025-26 Predicted Lineup

1. Point Guard: Jamal Murray
2. Shooting Guard: Christian Braun
3. Small Forward: Cam Johnson
4. Power Forward: Aaron Gordon
5. Centre: Nikola Jokić

Australians who have played for the Denver Nuggets

Jack White: Born in Traralgon, Victoria, White signed a two-way contract with the Nuggets in July 2022. During the 2022–2023 NBA season, he appeared in 17 games, averaging 1.2 points and 1.0 rebounds per game. White also played for the Grand Rapids Gold, the Nuggets' G League affiliate, where he averaged 20.9 points and 9.6 rebounds over 14 games. He was part of the Nuggets' roster when they won their first NBA championship in 2023.

History of the Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets date back to 1967, when they joined the American Basketball Association as the Denver Rockets. With the Rockets name for nine years, the team enjoyed various playoff qualifications and winning records.

In 1976, the franchise made the move to the NBA, rebranding as the Denver Nuggets. When revolutionary coach Doug Moe brought his ‘motion offence’ to the franchise, the Nuggets enjoyed overwhelming success setting various scoring records. The Alex English-led teams of the 1980s were offensive juggernauts, booking a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 1985 where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers.

After a steep decline in the following years, the franchise was boosted, when they drafted promising centre Dikembe Mutombo out of Georgetown University. After some continued playoff appearances through the 90s, the 93/94 Denver Nuggets made history when they became the first 8th seeded team to defeat a 1st seeded team in playoff history.

A new era was ushered in when the Nuggets drafted Carmelo Anthony with the third pick in the 2003 draft. After some disappointing playoff exits, the team was hopeful that a trade for NBA legend Allen Iverson would boost the team's chances. Although an underwhelming period for the Nuggets, the elite shot making abilities of Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson accompanied by JR Smith’s electric play-style made for a very exciting era of Denver basketball.

The 2010s decade built the foundation for Denver’s triumph in 2023. In 2014, the Nuggets completed one of the best draft steals in NBA history, selecting Nikola Jokić with the 41st pick. Over a decade later Jokić has won three MVPs, a Finals MVP and an NBA Championship. The 2010s also saw key pieces like Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr join the franchise. Denver's 2023 championship team will go down as one of the most significant in franchise history. Not only did they break through for the organisation's first title, but they did so in dominant fashion, losing just 4 games total in the playoffs.

The Nuggets have preserved the core from their 2023 championship win and continue to be contenders for the league. After some great offseason moves and defensive adjustments, the Nuggets head into the 2025-26 NBA season as one of key contenders to take out the West and improve on last season's disappointing exit.

Identity

The Nuggets have built their identity around the unique talents of Nikola Jokić, arguably the most skilled passing big man in NBA history. Now under the guidance of head coach David Adelman, the team has continued to play a similar system of offence to that used in Michael Malone’s tenure.

Denver's playing style is predicated on ball and player movement, with Jokić often initiating the offence from the high post or top of the key. They are the league leaders in assists per game, reflecting their team-first mentality. Their recent surge in success is founded on a culture that emphasises player development, roster continuity and a family atmosphere.

Denver is nicknamed the “Mile High” city due to its advanced positioning above sea level. Its nickname is much suited to the identity of the Nuggets franchise, due to their plethora of legendary towering forwards and centres who have written their names in NBA history. Players such as Nikola Jokić, Alex English, Dikembe Mutombo and Carmelo Anthony, all did some of their best work while at the Colorado franchise.

Five Fast Facts

1. The Nuggets joined the NBA in 1976 after nine seasons in the ABA
2. Nikola Jokić was drafted 41st overall in 2014, making him one of the biggest draft steals ever
3. Denver set the NBA single season scoring record in 1981-82, averaging 126.5 points per game
4. The team has retired six numbers: 2, 12, 33, 40, 44, 55
5. In 2020, the Nuggets became the first team in NBA history to overcome multiple 3-1 playoff deficits in the same postseason

Club Timeline

• 1967: Franchise founded as Denver Rockets in ABA
• 1974: Team changes name to Denver Nuggets
• 1976: Nuggets join NBA as part of ABA-NBA merger
• 1985: Reach Western Conference Finals for first time
• 2003: Draft Carmelo Anthony 3rd overall
• 2014: Select Nikola Jokić 41st overall in draft
• 2023: Win first NBA championship

With Nikola Jokić at the helm, the Nuggets will inevitably be a championship contender in the coming years. The Nuggets made much needed improvements to their roster depth and defensive capacities, bringing in quality pieces like Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown and Jonas Valančiūnas. The Nuggets have reloaded this offseason and are aiming high, hoping to replicate their 2023 championship triumph in the coming season.