The Denver Nuggets, the reigning NBA champions, have more time to resolve their urgent CBA issue after their early playoff departure. As has become customary for high-spending competitors, the Nuggets started the postseason well.

Denver must balance roster flexibility in a more constrained financial environment while trying to make the most of three (or four, as he has an option) of the deal of three-time MVP center Nikola Jokic.

Teams who surpass the so-called “second apron” of the salary ceiling will be subject to harsh tax and roster manipulation fines under the collective bargaining agreement that went into effect in July 2023.

According to NBA estimates maintained by Spotrac, the Nuggets are one of eight clubs with a current roster that is expected to earn more than $189.5 million in 2024–25.

The Nuggets’ strategy appears to be obvious, with guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope being the key player in play this offseason.

During the Nuggets’ postseason media briefing, Denver president Josh Kroenke stated, “You have a responsibility to him (Jokic).”

Recently, the Nuggets have accepted that duty. After first agreeing to a four-year, $147 million maximum contract with Jokic in 2018, they piled on the support in 2023 with a five-year, $276 million designated veteran extension.

Jamal Murray, a point guard, will earn $36 million in the last year of his five-year contract the following season. Power forward Aaron Gordon will make $23.8 million on a contract that includes a 2026 option, while small forward Michael Porter Jr. will make $35.9 million on a pact that expires in 2027.

However, that was a different era. The less stringent CBA was used to negotiate such agreements.

The Nuggets deliberately chose to stick together as they attempted to become the first repeat champion since Golden State in the 2017–18 season, while several teams utilized the 2023–24 season to rearrange their rosters to create salary space in light of the new regulations.

There were consequences. They were unable to match Indiana’s two-year, $45 million offer last summer, therefore they were unable to retain wing Bruce Brown, a crucial reserve on the 2023 championship squad.

In the Nuggets’ playoff series loss to Minnesota this season, when the bench averaged just 10 minutes per game, the loss of veteran role-player forward Jeff Green and Brown reduced the bench.

In part to keep expenses down after spending much on the starters, the Nuggets tried to make up for it with a young bunch that included second-year player Peyton Watson and rookie draft picks Julian Strawther and Jalen Pickett.

Calvin Booth, general manager, stated, “Obviously, maybe in our top seven, we can use a little bit more talent.” “Perhaps there is a way to move one or two people up. However, nothing that strikes me as particularly odd for our roster.

With his defense being more important than his 10.1 scoring average, Caldwell-Pope is the most urgent old-money, new-CBA problem this offseason. Caldwell-Pope, in a shooter’s league, kept his opponent to 40.6 percent field goal shooting this season, according to Second Spectrum, the lowest among players who contested at least 500 shots in the league.

Caldwell-Pope is expected to turn down his $15.4 million option for 2024–2025 because he realistically expects to sign a multiyear deal that pays at least as much as Brown did every season. He must make a decision by June 29.

The Nuggets could use their Bird rights to re-sign Caldwell-Pope as a free agent if he opts out. This would allow them to match or surpass other offers, but it would almost definitely force them into the second round. Last summer, they were not granted Brown’s Bird rights.

“I understand that the second apron presents a lot of challenges and constraints, but I don’t believe that avoiding it is our top priority,” Booth remarked. “KCP” has been a fantastic addition throughout the past few years. Needless to say, we would adore his return. We are going to examine that in great detail.”

In the absence of Caldwell-Pope, the Nuggets’ most likely choice would be to start third-year guard Christian Braun, which would increase the workload for Strawther, Pickett, and Watson on the second unit.

Reggie Jackson, a seasoned guard, can choose to participate in his $5.25 million option for 2024–25 by June 25.

Although spot-up shooter Porter has been suggested as a potential trade partner, doing so would free up more cap space. However, trading Caldwell-Pope and/or Porter would disrupt a starting lineup that has led the league in point differential the past two seasons.

Given that Gordon’s contract ends after this season and Murray’s does after this season if he rejects his $23.8 million option for 2025–2026, both players are available for extensions.

“Under a different set of rules, we drafted, developed, and built this team,” Kroenke stated. “Those guidelines have kind of evolved spontaneously.

Since we were fresh off a championship, it wasn’t quite as relevant last summer as it will be this summer. We will pool our collective intelligence to determine how we can continue to advance.