DENVER NUGGETS` star player was contemplating alone at his locker following a preseason defeat by the Phoenix Suns.
Nikola Jokic`s perpetually aching right wrist was iced, hindering his phone use. Having abandoned social media years prior, there were no feeds to browse. And unusually, he wasn`t wearing headphones. Minimal sound was entering or exiting the NBA`s three-time MVP.
For a decade, Jokic has occupied this same locker, conducting his affairs with minimal fuss. He embodies the low-maintenance, cornerstone superstar franchises covet. He doesn`t resort to cryptic social media posts to pressure management. He refrains from initiating rumor campaigns or using intermediaries to voice dissatisfaction about a supposed `lack of commitment to winning.` He avoids labeling his teammate, Jamal Murray, a `Black Swan` or `White Swan` for insufficient aggression.
If he harbors opinions on the friction between the Nuggets` management and coaching staff regarding strategies to prolong his prime, he keeps them to himself. `It`s not my concern,` Jokic stated in an extensive interview. `My focus is on playing basketball, and I`m content if we have a chance each year.`
The gravity of this season is palpable throughout Denver. General Manager Calvin Booth has indicated that the team is halfway through what they envision as Jokic`s ten-year prime. Jokic has been exceptional, averaging career-highs of 31.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.3 assists in 39 minutes across four games.
The Nuggets` ownership has historically been averse to luxury taxes, and the front office operates under the constraints of the NBA`s collective bargaining agreement. Key players from the 2022-23 championship team – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, Jeff Green, and Reggie Jackson – have departed. This talent attrition among role players has strained the relationship between Coach Michael Malone and a front office with limited financial flexibility.
`There was a strong desire to compete, especially from the players, coaches, and myself,` Booth shared. `Everyone wants to win, particularly after a championship victory. This ambition likely ignited the initial tension.
`The questions arose: What are our goals? Are we aiming for immediate wins or focusing on player development? Initially, everyone seemed aligned and committed. However, the intense focus on competition may have overshadowed that initial buy-in.`
Back in the locker room, Jokic remained quiet. His team had just lost to the Suns, despite Phoenix resting its key players. His coach publicly criticized the team`s conditioning post-game, stating he had kept the starters in during the second half to improve their fitness.
Questions persist about the Nuggets` shooting consistency, roster depth, and whether the young players expected to fill the void left by key contributors from the 2023 title-winning team are capable of doing so.
`Generally, people always seek more, without appreciating what they currently possess,` Jokic remarked. `I am genuinely grateful for our championship win – many excellent players never achieve one.`
Yet, the Nuggets possess arguably the best player globally, whose prime, by Booth`s assessment, is more than halfway through.
This raises a critical question in the NBA: How can they maximize the remaining years of his peak performance?
`If we don`t win this year,` forward Michael Porter Jr. commented, `they might consider dismantling the team.`
BOOTH ACKNOWLEDGES the dilemma, addressing the challenges of integrating younger players alongside championship aspirations – a common balancing act for elite teams.
The Golden State Warriors have navigated a similar phase, attempting to develop lottery picks while sustaining Stephen Curry`s championship window, a dual-timeline approach that has caused considerable internal and external debate.
`It`s challenging,` Booth explained. `Coaches prioritize winning each game and prefer proven players. Conceptually, integrating youth and experience sounds good, and coaches initially agree. However, once competition intensifies, the inherent conflict becomes apparent, making it difficult for Malone at times.`
`There are no villains here. We performed well in the regular season, gave significant minutes to young players, and essentially achieved our objectives. Our team is well-positioned because of this approach.`
Following their Game 7 loss to Minnesota in the Western Conference semifinals, after surrendering a 20-point second-half lead, the Nuggets became the fifth consecutive defending champion to fail to advance beyond the second playoff round.
By season`s end, Murray was reportedly `playing on one leg,` according to a team source. Aaron Gordon had a shoulder issue. Jokic`s wrist was problematic. Caldwell-Pope had hamstring issues.
When it came to closing out the Timberwolves series, the Nuggets lacked sufficient resources. The veterans were exhausted, and the younger players expected to contribute didn`t step up.
`It comes down to desire and effort,` Gordon stated. `Championships are incredibly hard to win. We simply need to play with maximum intensity.`
Game 7 provided clear evidence of Malone`s reservations about younger players. Only Christian Braun played significant minutes, contributing just 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther saw no playing time.
`Rookies are typically not impactful early in their NBA careers,` a rival GM remarked. `They rarely become positive playoff contributors until at least their second year, and that`s for the top picks.`
After the 2023-24 season, the Nuggets` management reaffirmed their commitment to building around the championship core with drafted and developed young players, but not before considering other options.
League sources indicated that the Nuggets inquired about Paul George in the offseason. However, discussions didn`t progress as Denver refused to include Braun, Watson, or Strawther in any deal, and the Clippers weren`t interested in salary dumps, such as Porter`s and Nnaji`s contracts.
Zeke Nnaji, the Nuggets` fifth-highest-paid player, exemplifies the disconnect between Booth`s long-term strategy and Malone`s game-day decisions.
In his rookie season (2020-21), Nnaji, a power forward, shot nearly 41% from three-point range. He improved to over 46% in his second season, leading to a four-year, $32 million extension based on expectations of him becoming a key player behind Jokic.
Post-extension, Nnaji`s playing time decreased, and his three-point percentage dropped to 26.5%. He played only 14 minutes in the 2024 playoffs and has appeared in just one of the team`s first four games this season.
These are the gambles that must pay off for the long-term strategy to succeed, but they are the hardest to accept when salary cap constraints are tight, and your superstar is in his prime, ready to win now.
`Winning a championship is a blend of experience and energy,` Booth observed. `Younger players often bring that energy.`
This combination requires the core four players to be healthy and performing at a high level. So far, only Jokic and Gordon have consistently delivered. Porter is shooting 39.6% overall and 29.6% from three, averaging a career-low 13.3 points as a starter.
Murray`s underwhelming performance is even more concerning. The Nuggets have consistently supported him through injuries and inconsistent play. He rewarded them with exceptional play during their championship run.
They reaffirmed their faith by signing him to a $208 million max extension, despite a disappointing 2024 playoffs and Olympics. Denver anticipated he would enter camp motivated to prove his worth. Instead, sources say he has continued to struggle with his shot and conditioning, raising concerns within the organization. In his first four games, Murray shot just 37.9% overall and 35% from three.
`Their only path to victory hinges on Murray performing at a high level,` a rival executive stated. `Jokic is the best player in the world, but they risk overusing him if his minutes remain this high.`
BOOTH’S OFFICE at Ball Arena is surprisingly sparse for an executive of his recent success. It features simple black furniture, bare walls, and a view of downtown Denver. A single cabinet contains books, memorabilia, and championship champagne, reminders of past achievements.
The office`s emptiness suggests ongoing ambition. Booth is central to the Nuggets` future. Contract extension talks have been ongoing for months, and a deal is expected soon.
Booth made his mark in the 2022-23 championship season by integrating eight new players into a roster that had underperformed in previous playoffs. None were stars, but each played a crucial role in the title.
Booth, a former role player, understood how veterans like Brown, Green, and Caldwell-Pope would complement the core of Jokic, Porter, Murray, and Gordon.
By then, Jokic had secured two MVP awards for his individual brilliance and ability to carry the team while Murray was injured. It was time to surround him with more talent and the right role players. `It`s pressure,` Booth admitted. `But it`s a healthy pressure. Problem-solving is a rewarding part of this job.`
A book in Booth`s office, `Barking Up the Wrong Tree,` hints at his approach to roster construction around Jokic under the new CBA. It advocates a data-driven, contrarian approach to success, challenging conventional wisdom.
This is the approach Booth adopted when he succeeded Tim Connelly in 2022. He compiled a 34-page report on past champions, identifying trends in height, age, and roster composition.
This approach informed the decisions in the past two offseasons to let championship role players leave in free agency, prioritizing the core four and younger, cost-controlled players like Braun, Watson, and Strawther.
`The rationale behind Christian and Peyton is,` Booth explained, `I envisioned them matching up against players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics.`
He believed, and still believes, these young players can contribute to the Nuggets` next championship.
`There`s a misconception that championship teams don`t utilize young players,` Booth countered. `That`s inaccurate. Tony Parker played significant minutes as a rookie in the playoffs. The next year, the Spurs won a championship with Parker, Speedy Claxton, and Manu Ginobili all playing key roles. In 2009-10, the Lakers played Trevor Ariza and a young Andrew Bynum.`
Braun, while not a major contributor in 2023, scored 15 points in Game 3 of the Finals. The Nuggets, with an average age of 27 years and 297 days, were the second-youngest NBA champions since 2000, only older than the 2008-09 Lakers.
The third-youngest team? The 2014-15 Warriors, the start of their dynasty.
MALONE OPERATES differently. He is fiercely competitive, even about trivial matters. He ranks eighth in wins among current coaches and is the fourth-longest-tenured coach in the league, among coaches with 12 combined championships.
Malone, Booth, and owner Josh Kroenke presented a united front in May to dispel rumors of a strained relationship.
However, Malone`s focus is winning, and he openly addresses team deficiencies.
After a preseason loss to the Suns, Malone criticized his team`s conditioning and the NBA`s supposed `softness` regarding preseason conditioning drills. Following another preseason loss, he questioned the team`s motivation to avenge their playoff loss to Minnesota.
After poor shooting performances to start the season, Malone mentioned the loss of Caldwell-Pope in a press conference.
`Shooting was a preseason concern,` Malone said. `Losing a 40% three-point shooter like KCP is significant. Christian Braun is good, but he`s not KCP. We need to understand and appreciate Braun for who he is.`
The Nuggets reportedly declined a sign-and-trade opportunity with Dallas for Tim Hardaway Jr. or Josh Green to replace Caldwell-Pope, believing Braun could fill the role. Dallas then pursued Klay Thompson. Caldwell-Pope signed with Orlando, while the Nuggets prioritized extensions for Murray and Gordon.
Malone`s public comments about lost skills and experience have added to the tension. The Nuggets` uneven start—ranking 15th in offense, 19th in defense, 23rd in shooting, and 28th in bench production—further fuels concerns.
JOKIC’S OPINION is paramount, and Booth seeks it regularly.
`He has earned the right to be consulted,` Booth stated. `There`s a balance, especially with long-term teammates. But we try to involve him as much as possible.`
For example, Jokic advocated for signing Russell Westbrook as backup point guard, valuing Westbrook`s passion.
However, Jokic defers on broader issues like team construction under the CBA, player development versus veteran retention.
`I`m just here to play basketball,` he said. `I don’t understand contracts, CBA. That’s not my job.`
He does have strong views on younger players` responsibility.
`They need to want it for themselves, to be their best selves.`
Braun, drafted in 2022, believes Jokic is deeply invested. `He cares more than anyone, works harder, and wants to win badly.`
Jokic leads by example. Despite public perception of basketball as just a job for him, Braun sees a dedicated player. `He checks in, jokes around, and works hard, always returning in great shape.`
It`s a quiet effort to connect with the franchise and young players.
`I dislike too much time off,` Jokic admitted. `I get too relaxed.`
He took minimal time off after the Olympics.
For most superstars, this would signal a drive to avenge playoff losses.
`It’s easy to judge after the fact,` Jokic said of last season`s loss. `They won that series. We had chances but didn`t capitalize. I don`t dwell on other teams. I was raised to be gracious in victory and defeat. It`s my nature.`
Despite claims of not focusing on others, Jokic understands his team and his desire to win in Denver remains strong.
Whether the franchise has positioned him to achieve this goal remains to be seen.
