Projecting what the Nuggets’ starting lineup might realistically look like in 2025-26

Other than the play of Nikola Jokic at the Olympics, it’s been a fairly dreary offseason for the Denver Nuggets. They lost veterans Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Justin Holiday, and Reggie Jackson from their rotation. They traded up and used their only draft pick on DaRon Holmes II who tore his achilles in the first game of Summer League. And then Jamal Murray turned in a showing at the Olympics that has people questioning if his best days are behind him.

One of the few bright spots for the Nuggets has been the future the front office is preaching. After the devastating injury to Holmes, the team did get some nice Summer League showings from young players. The exit of veterans should also open up playing time for other young players.

Michael Malone is going to have no choice but to play the kids this season and in some regards, the development of the youngsters will determine the ceiling for this squad. But let’s assume things go well and they hit on some prospects. Let’s take a speculative look at what the team’s starting lineup could look like one year from now, entering the 2025-26 season.

Despite Murray’s rough showing in Paris, it seems like he’s set to sign a four-year max extension. Hopefully, he’ll get healthy and have a great season and the narrative will be flipped by this time next year and we’ll be talking about Murray, the playoff superstar again. If he’s not the starting point guard a year from now, something has likely gone horribly wrong and we’re having a much different conversation about the Nuggets.

Shooting Guard: Julian Strawther

Strawther is one of the big X-factors for the franchise going forward. He had a great Summer League showing and appears ready to step into a sixth-man role as a great shooter and scorer off the bench. With any luck, he builds on that momentum and breaks out this season as a legitimate backcourt mate for Murray. They could be an elite duo of offensive guards if things go right.

Watson is another big inflection point for the team. He has shown a lot of promise but still fell out of the rotation in the playoffs. But he has the skills to become an ideal two-way forward, fitting perfectly. Hopefully, he takes a big leap this season and earns a spot in the starting lineup. This could move Christian Braun to a more natural bench role and could make Michael Porter Jr. expendable.

Power Forward: Aaron Gordon

Gordon will be the next player to get an extension after Murray. His role is so key to this team. If Holmes hadn’t gotten injured, one could make a case that if he was an instant-impact power forward, the team could see what they could get for Gordon on the trade market. But at this point, the team needs Gordon in this spot going forward. If the big 3 don’t stay together, Calvin Booth and company will likely be looking at a serious roster overhaul.

There’s no doubt at all about this position in the starting lineup. If anybody but Nikola Jokic is starting at center for the Nuggets a year from now, then something terrible has happened. And as long as he’s in this spot, the Nuggets should be in title contention. The question marks are all around him.

Center: Nikola Jokic

There’s no doubt at all about this position in the starting lineup. If anybody but Nikola Jokic is starting at center for the Nuggets a year from now, then something terrible has happened. And as long as he’s in this spot, the Nuggets should be in title contention. The question marks are all around him.