A look at the Denver Nuggets roster going into the 2025-26 season, as the team looks to win its second NBA title in four years.
Projected Starting Five
27 Jamal Murray
Point Guard | 28 | 6-foot-4 | 215 pounds
Since Murray returned from his torn ACL three years ago, the Nuggets are 61-13 when he scores 25 or more points, including playoff games. They’re also 19-27 in the same period when he scores fewer than 15, including Game 7 in Oklahoma City earlier this year. It all evens out on the back of the Topps card — 21.2 per game one year, 21.4 the next and 21.2 again — but the two extremes represent the difference between Denver winning at a first-place and 13th-place rate in the West. This playoff riser’s next challenge is to conquer November.
0 Christian Braun
Shooting Guard | 24 | 6-6 | 220
After he recorded the highest true shooting percentage of any non-center in the NBA last season, it’s difficult to imagine Braun becoming a more efficient finisher than he already is. Then again, he made 14 of his first 15 shots this preseason. If his jumper and point-of-attack defense continue to develop at an accelerated pace, Braun should be one of the best “fifth starters” in the league. And he’s here to stay after signing a five-year, $125 million contract extension three days before the season.
23 Cam Johnson
Small Forward | 29 | 6-8 | 210
The Nuggets sacrificed their only tradable future first-round pick to turn Michael Porter Jr. into Johnson this summer — and just as crucially, to turn Porter’s $38 million salary into almost half of that. So this isn’t an entirely pressure-free job upgrade for Johnson, who can dribble and defend better than MPJ, but also sat out 89 games over the last three years. Pressure will be refreshing to him, though. It’s been four years since he could taste a championship with Phoenix, only for the Suns to blow a 2-0 NBA Finals lead.
32 Aaron Gordon
Power Forward | 30 | 6-8 | 235
Gordon’s decision to play on a strained hamstring in Game 7 of a playoff series was one of the more admirable, if not hazardous, acts of determination in franchise history. There’s no questioning his mental willpower as he enters his 30s; just his physical durability. “I definitely wouldn’t say (I’m in my) athletic prime,” he admitted. “I was jumping over mascots when I was 22.” He missed 31 games last season and was hindered defensively by a calf injury when he did play. Even so, his IQ, skill and shooting range have helped him evolve gracefully.
15 Nikola Jokic
Center | 30 | 6-11 | 284
Averaging a triple-double with a career-high in scoring wasn’t enough to secure Jokic his fourth MVP trophy last season. Maybe that ship has permanently sailed, then, because the Nuggets would probably welcome a healthy statistical reduction going forward — as long as it means he’s physically and mentally fresh next April. Still, it’s worth noting that Jokic’s magic number to catch Oscar Robertson for second on the all-time triple-doubles list is 17. He’s 36 away from 200 and 39 from meeting Russell Westbrook at the pinnacle.
Renck: Nuggets gave Nikola Jokic everything he needs. Now watch him cement his legacy.
Bench Unit
11 Bruce Brown
Guard | 29 | 6-4 | 202
Brown hasn’t been quite the same player since he left Denver in 2023. Overcoming arthroscopic knee surgery and homesickness, he found his way back for at least a one-year reunion. The cowboy might not be Denver’s clear-cut sixth man like last time, but the Nuggets will certainly ask a lot of him defensively as they try to remedy their inadequacy at containing quick guards.
3 Julian Strawther
Shooting Guard | 23 | 6-6 | 204
When Strawther is on, he’s undeniable. He can win you an elimination game. His 3-pointer and floater game can be the ignition of a competent bench offense. But a consistent one? That’s the lingering question as he enters his third year. His defense is well-intentioned but too wobbly to justify significant minutes if he isn’t scoring. At both ends, Denver is still trying to uncover what Strawther can be.
10 Tim Hardaway Jr.
Shooting Guard | 33 | 6-5 | 205
Another affordable free agency acquisition, Hardaway was David Adelman’s first substitution throughout this preseason. The 12-year vet was cold outside the arc in exhibition play, but if he gets a steady dose of shared minutes with Jokic, the ball should keep finding him more open than ever in the corners. Denver has been last in 3-point attempts in back-to-back years.
8 Peyton Watson
Forward | 23 | 6-7 | 200
Watson’s strengths have already allowed him to stick around in the NBA longer than most players drafted 30th overall. His shot-blocking prowess is above and beyond for a wing. His length and tenacity make him capable of locking down ball-dominant forwards. His corner three is much improved. Now, with restricted free agency looming next summer, is this the year for him to expand into something more? Denver seems committed to putting the ball in his hands. If it’s safe there, he’s probably this team’s sixth man.
5 Jonas Valanciunas
Center | 33 | 6-11 | 265
Feed Valanciunas in the post, let him go one-on-one with a 7-footer on the low block, and he’ll show you why he’s Jokic’s most promising backup in years. Adelman has no intention of limiting the Lithuanian center to such a rudimentary style, though. The Nuggets will play through Valanciunas as a facilitating and screening hub. They’ll experiment with him and Jokic together. And with any luck, they’ll be able to give Jokic some extra time off if he needs it.
Reserves
24 Jalen Pickett
Point Guard | 25 | 6-2 | 202
Don’t be shocked if Pickett solidifies himself as the second unit’s point guard eventually. When the Nuggets got sloppy last season, he was often the medicine they needed, exhibiting a maturity and control of the offense beyond his years. Despite being caught in the crosshairs of organizational dysfunction, he shot 39.6% from three and maintained a 4.46 assist-to-turnover ratio in 49 games.
14 DaRon Holmes II
Power Forward | 23 | 6-10 | 225
Training camp was a reminder not to place unfair expectations on Holmes, whose rookie season was delayed last year by a torn Achilles tendon. He played almost exclusively with Denver’s third unit this preseason, instead of slotting in next to Valanciunas as a bigger four-man. There may or may not be room for Holmes in the rotation eventually, but for now, setting foot on an NBA court for the first time will be a major milestone.
22 Zeke Nnaji
Power Forward | 24 | 6-9 | 240
Nnaji has shown glimpses that he can use his size and athleticism to be a forceful defender out on the perimeter. His touch and feel for the game have often betrayed him, however, preventing him from staying on the court for prolonged stretches. Entering his sixth year in Denver — he’s the third longest-tenured Nugget now — his usage will likely remain matchup- and injury-dependent.
5 Hunter Tyson
Forward | 25 | 6-8 | 215
Former coach Michael Malone joked last year that Tyson might break Rasheed Wallace’s single-season record for technical fouls. Indeed, his hustle is only matched by his apparent knack for getting under his opponents’ skin. But Tyson needs his 3-pointer to translate from the practice court to live game action if he wants to stick around in the NBA.
