Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets were unable to defend their 2023 title despite a third MVP season from Nikola Jokic. Denver’s success may have played a factor as other teams poached Bruce Brown and Jeff Green, limiting their depth and ability to navigate minor injuries. Their limited depth took another hit when Vlatko Cancar tore his left ACL while playing for the Slovenia National Team in August. Cancar missed the entire season and accounted for over 54 percent of Denver’s total games lost to injury.

The Nuggets depth took another hit with the departure of Kenatvious Caldwell-Pope though the team was able to add some punch back to the bench, signing veterans Russell Westbrook and Dario Saric. However, they are once again facing the task of rostering a player expected to miss the entire season. Rookie DaRon Holmes II tore his Achilles tendon during his Summer League debut and is not expected to play this season.

Managing Holmes’ recovery will be less of a challenge for Head Athletic Trainer Dan Shimensky and the Nuggets medical team than keeping guard Jamal Murray healthy. Murray struggled for most of last season with hamstring and knee inflammation. The issue appeared to linger into the summer as Murray struggled in the Olympics. Murray has already “tweaked” his knee, further elevating the concerns about his overall health.