The Denver Nuggets are heading for a season in which everything could come together. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic will finally be accompanied by a healthy Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
Factor in newly-acquired stoppers Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown joining defensive stalwart Aaron Gordon, and suddenly the 2022-23 squad has deep playoff potential.
Most experts pencil in Murray, Caldwell-Pope, Porter, Gordon, and Jokic as starters, with Brown delegated to the second unit. However, coach Michael Malone may opt to rattle the cage and challenge these consensus rotations.
Let’s examine an option that would certainly appeal to Malone’s style.
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone will be tempted to challenge presumed lineups, favoring the strong defenders the team has acquired.
It’s hard to dispute the success of former President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly, who smoothly ushered Denver out of the Brian Shaw era and into four straight playoff appearances.
However, it was clear Malone and Connelly (who enjoyed a solid overall relationship) preferred differing styles of play. Connelly brought in strong scorers, while Malone preached defense and toughness.
Most notable was Malone’s decision to play defensive bulldog Torrey Craig over generational scoring prospect Michael Porter Jr., a move Connelly countered by ousting Craig in free agency.
Current GM Calvin Booth’s early moves suggest better congruency with the desires of the coaching staff. However, it’s likely Booth still expects Michael Porter Jr. to start, which is understandable seeing he’s on a maximum contract. Porter brings much to the table from a shooting and scoring standpoint, yet is a known liability on defense.
Malone has long desired a group of defensively savvy starters who are also offensively competent. Now, with Pope and Brown in the fold, the following lineup could put Denver in the top eight both offensively and defensively:
PG: Murray, SG: Brown, SF: Pope, PF: Gordon, C: Jokic
Defensively, Brown and Pope would put clamps on opposing guards. Brown would utilize his aggressiveness and physicality against the smaller of the two scorers, while Pope would leverage length and steady footwork against the larger.
Gordon combines strength, quickness, and athleticism to defend the top opposing wing, while Jokic (a much-improved post defender) would take the competing big. Murray, also an improved defender, would be delegated to someone he could likely contain.
The offense would revolve around the highly successful Jokic-Murray two-man game. Jokic dominated last season with 27.1 points and 7.9 assisters per contest, while Murray averaged 21.2 points per game in 2020-21 (before missing last year with an ACL tear).
Caldwell-Pope would space the floor as an outside shooter, having knocked down 39.0 percent from deep last season and 41.0 percent in the previous year. Gordon would play the dunker spot, capitalizing on Jokic feeds, as Brown (40.4 percent from deep on limited attempts) would drain outside shots and rim-roll frequently.
This group is switchable, devoid of defensive holes, and capable of averaging double-figure scoring five-deep. It isn’t a stretch to say this could be the most well-rounded starting unit in the league.
Simultaneously, this lineup allows the bench to enter a new age of electrifying offense.
Imagine a high-scoring second unit featuring a Bones Hyland-Michael Porter Jr. two-man game. Each would receive high-volume opportunities to torch second-unit defenses without getting bludgeoned by opposing All-Stars scorers.
Porter would become bench captain, enjoying the perpetual green light to shoot that’s been lacking in minutes shared with Jokic and Murray. Meanwhile, Bones would continue to thrive as a fast-paced scorer and playmaker.
Whatever happens regarding starters, Denver’s top seven players present options galore. It’s a sure bet, however, that this defensively savvy starting lineup has at least crossed Malone’s mind.