The Denver Nuggets’ top focus this offseason is likely to be adding some seasoned depth to their bench, which is currently too young and wildly erratic for fans of the team to enjoy. 

It has to be seen whether this develops into a catastrophic weakness or whether the Nuggets’ excellent starting five, which will soon include three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, can overcome the team’s present shortcoming.

It’s very likely that the Nuggets won’t have the same bench problems when the new season begins.

It is reasonable to predict that a few of the Nuggets’ current crop of young guards and wings will advance considerably the next campaign. Maybe even far enough to establish themselves in the regular season rotation and provide the much-needed offensive punch off the bench. 

Hunter Tyson and Julian Strawther are expected to have high ceilings, while Peyton Watson and Christian Braun are already regulars. One or more could develop into potent scoring threats with further experience.

Even again, wouldn’t it be great if Denver had a young, powerful player who could spell Joker and lessen the nauseating moments for all those spectators during the “non-Jokic” parts?

Will Denver be required to use free agents? Denver might make that significant addition when it comes to selecting players in the next NBA Draft, which takes place this summer.

The collegiate basketball player of the year, Zach Edey of Purdue, is expected to be available when Denver selects close to the bottom of the first round, according to the mock draft experts.

Edey’s shortcomings, such as his lack of athleticism and defensive switching skills, are undeniable. 

He weighs 300 pounds and is 7 feet 4 inches, so while he shouldn’t be compared to Jokic, it’s important to keep in mind that the Serbian big man had some of the same perceived weaknesses in his game when he was selected in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft.

Edey is a traditional big man who prefers to hang around in the basket. There, he’s a rebounding and scoring machine. At minimum, he could perform the same functions as DeAndre Jordan at this point in his long career as a Nugget, albeit with greater endurance and potential. 

What if Edey regularly practiced both against and with Joker? Just think of the improvements in his footwork that the Nuggets’ fitness and training staff could make.

During the regular season, can you imagine not having to play Joker for 38 minutes every night?

There are a lot of young, talented players on the Nuggets’ bench right now. Jay Huff, a third-year player, is the only center. 

He hasn’t received much playing time because power forward Aaron Gordon plays the majority of the minutes at the “five” position, with Jordan and Zeke Nnaji occasionally substituting for Jokic. That isn’t the best situation.

Denver is in dire need of another major. Maybe they could work out a trade to try and acquire Kyle Filipowski, a seven-foot player out of Duke who is more well-liked by scouts than Edey? That kind of thing would probably depend on what the Nuggets were ready to give up. 

They’re not tampering with their core, no way. But perhaps a move up for Filipowski becomes more likely if Denver decides they could part ways with one of their young players, such as last year’s top pick, Strawther. Should Jordan opt not to return, this need will become much more important.

Denver might select a different late-round pick, a different winger who might be able to make an impact. But they have a lot of those already. Maybe the player would just receive a G-League ticket like the rest. 

The Nuggets are most likely to search free agency for a backup center that they won’t have to (or realistically be able to) pay a high salary for. Someone from whom they can gain some experience, but who won’t relieve Joker of much of his burden.

It would also not be optimal.

Indeed, Edey would require some work. Jokic was the same.