Let’s make one thing abundantly clear, the Denver Nuggets are just unfair. While the age of Paul Millsap and Will Barton skew the average age of Denver’s starting lineup, 70 percent of players on the Nuggets’ payroll were 24 years old or younger to start the season.
If we tried to name every notable prospect on Denver, it would end up reading just like a roster sheet. Monte Morris and Malik Beasley are very good players that are relegated to the bench simply because Jamal Murray and Gary Harris are even better. Trey Lyles and Michael Porter Jr. are legitimate building pieces that are simply luxuries for the Nuggets.
Not only is Denver the deepest team on this list, they also have the best player. Nikola Jokic is the real deal. Jokic is a genius playmaking point guard in a gargantuan 7-foot, 250-pound frame. Averaging 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game, Jokic is the type of player that makes his presence felt in all aspects of the game.
The Nuggets’ unconventional playstyle allows Jokic to be the primary ball handler, playing inside-out and distributing to Murray and Harris where they can be comfortable slash and shoot as natural scorers.
Denver’s unique scheme sparked the team to 54 wins and the second seed in the Western Conference. Even now, the Nuggets are absorbing invaluable playoff experience following a hotly contested seven game series against the Spurs. Following the Nuggets and their developing core through the playoffs is can’t-miss television.
That’s what differentiate’s Denver from the rest. They have no holes to fill. Although the Nuggets do have substantial financial flexibility, they don’t have any pressing needs in the draft or free agency. Denver’s players can relax and play comfortably knowing their jobs probably aren’t on the line, while developing an undeniable chemistry. Let’s enjoy it while we still can.