The Denver Nuggets are anticipated to rule the NBA for a very long period following their 2023 NBA championship victory. Bruce Brown Jr. was the only key player they parted ways with for this season.

But in the 2024 Western Semifinals, head coach Michael Malone was unable to overcome a superior Minnesota Timberwolves team.

Now, the question is: What needs to be done by Nuggets to make things better? Denver will need to think about locating the best possibilities if it hopes to assemble a new team that is prepared for the 2024–2025 title race.

Making sure Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is taken care of

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope possesses a personal renewal option valued at $51.4 million. The athlete, who was born in 1993, may be searching for a better deal this summer given his talent. Caldwell-Pope has to decide whether to sign a contract extension with the Nuggets or become a non-strings-attached free agent (UFA).

Given their very small pay budget and difficulty in finding a quality replacement, the Nuggets understandably want to hang onto Caldwell-Pope.

In the event that Caldwell-Pope decides to depart, the Nuggets will have to rely on Justin Holiday or sign less well-known players like Josh Richardson, Taurean Prince, or Isaac Okoro.

Caldwell-Pope is thirty-one years old, and his contribution might be dwindling year. He did, however, maintain his status as an all-around defensive player in the 2023–2024 Regular Season, with a success percentage of 40.6%. It’s no accident that Caldwell-Pope had a significant role in the Nuggets’ and the Lakers’ previous championships. For the foreseeable future, he can still consistently hit the main track.

Bobby Marks of ESPN reports that KCP and the Nuggets may be able to come to an agreement on a $96.8 million, four-year extension. This would limit Denver’s ability to recruit players by bringing them closer to the provisions of the apron tax law. The team led by Michael Malone will have to rely on veterans who take limited contracts.

Find the successor to Michael Porter Jr.

Michael Porter Jr.’s Playoff series was awful. At 37.1 percent and 32.5 percent in 32.5 percent, he was successful. Porter Jr.’s ability to score points is progressively declining, despite his skill as a defender and rebounder.

Porter Jr. must be let go in order for the Denver Nuggets to improve their starting lineup. Next season, he will turn 26. His $35.9 million salary will leave little room in the Nuggets salary fund. The Nuggets may be able to add at least one elite player to the team if they drive MPJ out.

The lack of depth on the roster is one of the Nuggets’ main issues. With only 84 seconds of rest during Game 7 against the Timberwolves, Nikola Jokic displayed signs of exhaustion. Denver would benefit from adding a couple more prospects by selling Porter Jr. to help balance the roster.

Sign drafts, free contracts, and other commercial agreements.

Denver won’t have the funds to sign any players that are really elite this summer. They’re thinking about bringing in a couple low-paid veterans and resigning Caldwell-Pope and Holiday.

On the other hand, the Nuggets may encourage their youthful players. The 28th and 56th picks of the summer belong to Denver. Adem Bona, a center, and Tyler Kolek, a dribbling quarterback, should be selected by the 2023 NBA winners.

Denver may decide to switch their options following the Draft in order to add fresh talent to the roster. They may also use their 2031 Round 1 picks.

Nuggets are entitled to have faith in their young guys. They have witnessed Christian Braun get better this season, step in for Porter Jr. and play well, and see increased playing time throughout the playoffs. Peyton Watson may not be as well-known, but he still has talent when it comes to ball control and defense.

The Nuggets are not out of the woods after their season-ending loss. Michael Malone’s team will essentially have all of its foundations back the following year, allowing them to seriously pursue the championship. Denver will be even more potent if they can locate a reliable player to support Jokic in addition to one or two talented reserve players.