It’s been just over three years since the Denver Nuggets’ first NBA championship. Since then, plenty has happened with the team.
While Denver remains a contender with Nikola Jokić, the roster has seen immense changes since 2023. Although the core of Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon are still in place, many of the pieces that contributed to the title run are either gone or no longer the same players they once were.
Following the Nuggets’ worst playoff performance since 2021–22, there are growing concerns about Denver’s current roster construction and how much longer the Nuggets can contend. With the Western Conference becoming more competitive, Denver cannot afford to ignore the internal issues threatening their limited title window.
The Denver Nuggets’ Aging Core
Age is emerging as one of the biggest threats to the Denver Nuggets’ championship window.
Murray is approaching his thirties. Gordon and Jokić are already there. This is a worry as age is one of the primary factors in determining how long a team can remain in the title hunt. Though Murray and Jokić performed at a prime level this past season, Gordon began showing signs that his age may be catching up to him.
Gordon recorded just 42 dunks in the 36 games he played in 2025-26. Had he maintained the same rate over an 82-game season, he would have finished with around 96 dunks. This would have been the lowest number of dunks he’s recorded in a season during his tenure with Denver.
While age isn’t the sole contributor to this trend, it’s a reminder that the Nuggets’ core will not remain at their peaks forever.
Some data shows how much NBA players tend to decline after they turn 30. If the Nuggets’ core follows this trend, there is a limited window to compete for a championship while they remain at the top of their game.
Nuggets’ Roster Faces Continued Threat of Injuries
Injuries plagued the 2025-26 Denver Nuggets.
The team trotted out 28 different starting lineups last year. The number of injuries Denver had to deal with was unusually high.
This was evident in a midseason game against a mostly healthy Philadelphia 76ers squad. In this game, the Nuggets were without the entire starting lineup. Although Denver still won this game, similar situations occurred throughout the season. The Nuggets often played without multiple starters. Even Jokić missed 17 games, the most he’s ever been absent for in a single season.
The most significant injury on the Nuggets was to Gordon, who dealt with lingering hamstring and calf issues all year. Gordon played only 36 games this past season, a career low over his 12 years in the league. Athleticism is one of Gordon’s greatest attributes. Lower-body injuries can hinder his explosiveness, impacting his effectiveness on both ends of the floor. This will be a situation to continue monitoring over the next season.
Murray did have one of the healthiest seasons of his career, playing 75 games, which was his most since 2018-19. However, as he has torn his ACL in the past, the risk of future injuries remains a concern.
Uncertainty with Nuggets’ Depth Chart
Depth is essential if the Denver Nuggets want to win another championship.
Thankfully, Denver acquired strong bench depth during the previous offseason. It proved to be valuable in 2025-26, as the Nuggets went 11-6 when Jokić was sidelined with injury.
However, key contributors such as Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown are both free agents this offseason. With the possibility of also losing Peyton Watson to free agency, Denver could quickly face similar depth concerns that affected the roster in previous years.
The Nuggets experienced firsthand how important depth can be during the 2025-26 season. Injuries forced role players to shoulder a larger load. Watson was the biggest beneficiary, blossoming into a nearly-15-point-per-game scorer.
Denver’s bench often helped keep the team competitive, despite key absences. If Hardaway, Brown, or other contributors depart, the Nuggets may once again be forced to rely heavily on their starters. This could increase the risk of injuries over the course of the season, even more than last year. The Nuggets’ depth could determine if they remain true contenders next season.
Ultimately, these internal threats will shape how long the Denver Nuggets’ championship window lasts.
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