The Denver Nuggets locked up Nikola Jokic, securing their franchise cornerstone for at least five more years. In turn, along with drafting Michael Porter Jr., they have acquired one of the best young cores in basketball, perhaps the best group of any non-playoff team. The Lakers are a close second, and after acquiring LeBron James, it probably is not fair to compare the two.
Denver’s core of players has an excellent mix of youth with just enough years under their belt in Jokic, Gary Harris, and Jamal Murray to make reasonable projections on them. Throw in veteran Paul Milsap and rookie Michael Porter Jr., and you have you have a high potential starting five in the long-term (if Milsap extends his stay). What makes it even more special is that they are homegrown (except for Milsap). Yet no one talks about them enough as they do the Lakers or Knicks.
And it all starts and revolves around their franchise player, Nikola Jokic. He was drafted out of Serbia with the 41st overall pick in 2014 but waited a year before coming over. Thus, Jokic just completed his third season with the Nuggets. And he has impressed, earning every bit of the $146.5 million he will start getting paid next season. And he is only going to improve.
His sophomore year is when he truly impressed, averaging 16.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists on 57.8% from the field and showing the potential for a three-point shot. His per-36 numbers were an excellent 21.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists.
And this past season, as a 23-year-old, his numbers went up, and he averaged 18.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in just over 32 minutes-per-game. His scoring and rebounding, per-36 minutes dropped slightly, but that is what happens when you have more talent around you. They were still excellent, and his assists went up per-36 minutes. His efficiency dropped to 49.9%, which is still good. But, for a big man, you want something over 50%, and he is a career 53% field goal shooter.
What was the most impressive thing about this season, however, was his 39.6 % from three-point range. He is a real unicorn. One of the first of his kind. A center who can shoot, pass, and handle the ball. But his passing, for his size, is unparalleled today, and perhaps ever. He has Steve Nash-like vision, accuracy, and exquisite touch on his dimes.
If Jokic can shore up his defense, he would finally get acknowledged as the elite talent he is, and the elite player he can be. No matter, Denver has the perfect starting point. Compare the money he is making to Andrew Wiggins, who is getting similar money, Evan Turner, and Allen Crabbe (combined signed for $144 million with Portland, and it’s quite humorous when comparing production. And Denver has done an excellent job surrounding the Serbian with the requisite pieces to play off him.
In Murray and Harris, the Nuggets probably have the best young backcourt in the NBA. They are sharpshooters that spaced the floor at a combined 38.6% clip while pouring in 37.3 points per-36 minutes. Considering their age (Murray is 21 and Harris 23), talent, and shooting being their biggest threat, they should comfortably become 40+% shooters from long-range.
Both are athletic with handles and the ability to put the ball on the floor and create for themselves. While it’s too early to make the proclamation, they have a chance to be Splash Bros 2.0. And if you think that is blasphemous, both are young and have comparable numbers to when Steph and Klay were similar ages. Not as good as the original Splash Bros, but that’s what the 2.0 is for. Still perfect complements for Jokic.
Paul Milsap is the perfect veteran to group with these youngsters. He is a team player and All-Star-caliber that always seems to fly under-the-radar for whatever reason. He is a stretch four who can score when he needs to at an efficient rate and play defense. The kind of player playoff teams need. A straightforward argument could be made that the Nuggets would have made the playoffs last year if Milsap didn’t miss extended time with an injured hand. It would not have come down to the last game because they would have comfortably been in position.
And to round out the starting five, if healthy, is Michael Porter Jr., the 14th pick from this year’s draft. And the only reason he fell that low was because of an injury. If not for it, he would have been in the top-3 slots, considering he was the top high school player of his class. If he hits, Denver will have found the elite wing talent that they have been searching for.
The Nuggets had the backcourt and big men. But they lacked that explosive three-and-D player. Wilson Chandler and Will Barton are quality players, but Porter Jr. has the potential to lap what they produced. And if Porter Jr. hits, he may become the best player from a perceived strong draft class.
Denver has always had the best depth in the league but never had the star power who can carry them through games. They have Jokic now, along with three other guys that can get you a bucket when needed. They still have a surplus of young talent such as Juan Hernangomez, Malik Beasley, Kenneth and Faried who they can attach to one anyone not named Nikola Jokic and get a more established difference-maker if wanted to.
Denver is in an enviable position because they have their core set for the next four-to-five year and potentially more. They are young, athletic, hungry, and what makes them special is that they are organic have the chance to turn into something special.
Featured Image via Flickr/Michael Tipton
