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The 2018-2019 NBA season starts October 16th and to get you ready for tip-off, Off the Glass is previewing all 30 teams. Today we look at the Denver Nuggets
2017-2018 Record:
46-36, 5th in Northwest Division. Did not qualify for the playoffs.
Season Recap: The Nuggets were a pleasant surprise a season ago. With a six-win jump from the previous season, Denver came within a game of making the playoffs and had its first winning season since 2013. Their final game of the season versus Minnesota actually decided the 8th seed in the west with the T-Wolves winning and advancing to the playoffs.
Key Losses:
Kenneth Faried (F); Wilson Chandler (F)
Key Additions:
Isaiah Thomas (G); Michael Porter Jr. (G/F);
Player to Watch:
Jamal Murray (G)
Preview:
After missing the playoffs by a single game last season, the Nuggets will look to build on what was a very solid season. Denver has a very promising young team starting with center Nikola Jokic & guards Jamal Murray and Gary Harris. They also brought back guard Will Barton on a four-year deal, reached a long-term extension with Jokic, added Thomas with the veteran minimum and drafted a possible stud in Porter Jr.
Denver also traded away longtime Nugget Faried to the Brooklyn Nets in a salary dump but also had to throw in its 2019 first round pick, which is top 12 protected. The Nuggets without a doubt should be competing for a playoff spot so that pick won’t likely be that high. All in all, I see this as being a very promising season for the up and coming Denver Nuggets.
Worst Case Scenario:
Injuries to their key young players forcing them out of possible playoff contention. Or possibly last season was a fluke and Denver doesn’t win more than 40 games.
Best Case Scenario:
Thomas returns to his Boston Celtics' form as a backup to Murray. Thomas was a low risk high reward signing for Denver that could pay huge dividends. If all the young players continue to improve I don’t see why Denver can’t win 50 games.
2018-2019 Prediction:
49-33, 3rd in Northwest Division