This preseason, most of the attention has been on the Los Angeles Lakers, due to the uncertainty surrounding LeBron James’ future, and the Golden State Warriors’ revitalized bid for another title before the Steph Curry era ends in the Bay Area.
However, if anyone asks veteran journalist and broadcaster Marc Spears which team every other squad in the league must be wary of, it’s the Denver Nuggets. Speaking after the Nuggets’ 102-94 preseason win over the Los Angeles Clippers, Spears remarked that the Nuggets’ savvy offseason moves, highlighted by the acquisition of veteran big man Jonas Valanciunas, could pay dividends for Denver this coming season.
Someone who could give Joker time to rest
The Nuggets’ entire universe revolves around Nikola Jokic, and the team will only go as far as the Serbian big man will take them. This meant Jokic had to play a ton of minutes (36.7 per game in the regular season and 40.2 in the postseason) to give Denver the best chance of winning.
While the strategy usually worked, it also placed an incredible strain on Jokic’s body, especially in the playoffs when the intensity and physicality of each game ramped up. It was clear that the Nuggets needed a reliable backup center who could give Jokic some much-needed rest without sacrificing too much production on the court. This is where having Jonas Valanciunas comes in handy.
A 13-year veteran, the 6’11” big man from Lithuania has been a solid presence in the shaded lane in his entire career. After starting 848 games, JV has embraced a reserve role last season, averaging 10.4 points on 55 percent shooting and 7.7 rebounds per game. Known for his physical play and rebounding prowess, he will be an ideal backup for Jokic.
“I still like the Nuggets because they added a big fella that’s going to give Joker some rest,” Spears said on “NBA Today.”
Having Valanciunas on the Nuggets has also allowed head coach David Adelman the chance to try out a massive lineup in the preseason, putting both JV and Jokic on the floor at the same time.
“There were some interesting wrinkles being done by the coaches in this game. David Adelman, the coach of the Nuggets, played Jonas Valančiūnas and Jokic together, and then they played zone on defense. Jokic was playing power forward — I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen that. Maybe when Nurkic was there. That’s a huge lineup,” Brian Windhorst noted.
A more versatile roster
While previous iterations of the Nuggets leaned primarily on the offensive brilliance and chemistry of Jokic and lead guard Jamal Murray, Spears cited how having several new players on the team will give them different layers on both ends. Aside from Valanciunas, the Nuggets also acquired two-way standout Cam Johnson, veteran shooter Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown, who helped them win it all in 2023.
“Tim Hardaway is going to add some shooting, Brown brings some defense, and hey — Cam, two-way Cam,” Spears said. “This is a better team than the one that actually took the Thunder to seven games.”
NBA titles aren’t won on paper; they’ll be won in June, which is still a long way off. However, with a roster teeming with veteran savvy and a core that has already tasted success on the biggest stage, the Nuggets are undoubtedly poised to make another deep playoff run.