Denver Nuggets Near Roster Completion but Still Searching for Crucial Backup Center to Support Nikola Jokic in Championship Quest
The Denver Nuggets are a franchise on the cusp of cementing a new era of dominance in the NBA. With a championship pedigree, an elite core led by two-time MVP and NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, and a roster that boasts a blend of youth, depth, and chemistry, they’ve positioned themselves among the league’s true powerhouses. Yet, for all the praise surrounding their smart offseason and organizational stability, there’s one issue that remains unresolved — the lack of a true backup for Jokic.
It’s a concern that’s not necessarily new but has become more pressing as the Nuggets near the finish line of their offseason moves. While Denver’s starting five is one of the most cohesive and effective units in basketball, the team continues to struggle when Jokic is off the floor. That Achilles heel was apparent in their playoff runs, and despite the front office’s careful maneuvering, no surefire solution has emerged.
The importance of finding a Jokic backup can’t be overstated. Jokic is the system in Denver. He is the fulcrum of the offense, the primary facilitator, and an underrated positional defender. When he’s on the court, the Nuggets flow like a championship team. When he sits, even briefly, that flow often turns into disarray.
Head coach Michael Malone has experimented with different approaches in past seasons to compensate for Jokic’s absence. He’s used small-ball lineups with Aaron Gordon at center. He’s leaned on unproven young bigs. He’s staggered Jamal Murray to carry the second unit’s offense. But none of these solutions have fully addressed the underlying issue: there is no consistent, reliable option behind Jokic who can protect the paint, rebound, and keep the offense afloat — even in a simplified form — when Jokic rests.
Last season, veteran DeAndre Jordan filled that role in name, but not in impact. While beloved in the locker room and experienced, Jordan’s on-court contributions were limited. He offered rebounding and occasional rim protection but was often a liability in pick-and-roll coverage and struggled with the pace of modern offenses. Younger options like Zeke Nnaji have shown flashes, but consistency, size, and defensive presence remain concerns.
The Nuggets’ brain trust, now fully empowered after recent front office transitions, understands this. That’s why the search for a dependable Jokic backup has become their final piece of business. Reports suggest that Denver has been exploring both internal development and external acquisitions, hoping to find a player who can anchor the second unit without derailing the team’s identity.
One approach under consideration is the continued development of second-year player Hunter Tyson. Though more of a stretch forward than a traditional center, Tyson has shown IQ, effort, and shooting touch. While he may not be the long-term answer at backup five, his growth could allow Denver to use smaller, more dynamic lineups in short stretches. The same goes for Peyton Watson, a wing with freakish athleticism and defensive potential who could slide into a hybrid frontcourt role.
Still, the reality is that neither player offers what Jokic does in terms of size, passing, or gravitational pull on offense. No one truly can — but Denver isn’t looking for a clone. They’re looking for a specialist who can hold the line defensively, finish around the rim, and ideally contribute as a short-roll passer or screener in their motion-heavy offense.
Free agency still offers a few names, though the market has thinned significantly. Veterans like Bismack Biyombo, Gorgui Dieng, or Derrick Favors have experience and could provide short-term relief. While not flashy, they bring rebounding, length, and a willingness to play a defined role. However, each comes with tradeoffs — whether it’s mobility issues, lack of offensive touch, or limited upside.
There’s also the possibility of a trade. With a few movable contracts and second-round draft assets, Denver could explore deals for younger, underutilized bigs stuck on deep rosters. Players like Isaiah Hartenstein (formerly a Nugget), Xavier Tillman, or Mo Bamba could intrigue the Nuggets if made available. Each brings different strengths — passing, rim protection, athleticism — and could thrive in the right system.
But the Nuggets have been cautious with trades, and rightly so. They’re building a culture based on continuity and unselfishness. Bringing in a new personality just for depth’s sake could disrupt that balance if not carefully vetted. Any addition would need to embrace a clear, limited role, understanding that this is Jokic’s team and minutes behind him will be scarce and situational.
One interesting wrinkle to consider is the idea that Denver may opt to solve the problem internally by reimagining how they play without Jokic. Rather than plug in a traditional center, Malone could lean more heavily on versatile lineups that emphasize switchability, spacing, and transition play. Such units, featuring players like Gordon, Porter, Braun, and Murray, could lean into speed and pressure rather than size and structure.
This approach would place more responsibility on players like Reggie Jackson or rookie Jalen Pickett to organize the offense and ensure defensive rebounding doesn’t suffer. It’s a gamble, but one rooted in the Nuggets’ belief in their internal development and chemistry.
Still, when the playoffs arrive, the margins tighten. Every possession matters. And that’s where having a reliable Jokic relief option could swing a game or even a series. In the brutal minutes when stars rest, games are often won or lost — especially against teams with aggressive bench units or athletic second-line bigs who punish mismatches and control the glass.
It’s also about protecting Jokic himself. While Jokic is one of the most durable superstars in the NBA, logging major minutes every season, Denver’s long-term championship hopes hinge on preserving his health and stamina deep into the playoffs. Relying on him to play 40+ minutes every night because there’s no trust in the backup plan isn’t sustainable.
This offseason has been widely praised for the Nuggets — and for good reason. They’ve kept their core, added savvy depth, and continued to build around the singular brilliance of Jokic without panic or overreach. But this one outstanding issue lingers, not as a crisis, but as a gap. A championship-caliber team doesn’t need to be perfect, but it must be prepared — and right now, the Nuggets aren’t fully equipped for life without Jokic on the floor.
The good news is that they have time. Training camp is approaching, and teams will begin making cuts, opening up opportunities to grab a veteran looking for one last ride on a contender. Denver’s player development staff has also shown the ability to get the most out of unlikely contributors, turning raw talents into polished, system-ready performers.
Malone, too, deserves credit. He has managed the challenge of bench rotations without Jokic better than most coaches would in his position, and his ability to find creative solutions has helped Denver survive in minutes when their MVP sits. But even the best tacticians need the right tools, and that final addition — the right big man, the right personality, the right fit — could be the difference between a deep playoff run and another banner.
So while Denver fans should feel confident about the team’s trajectory, they should also keep an eye on the transaction wire. One move remains. One hole to fill. One puzzle piece left before the Nuggets can say, unequivocally, that they’re ready to defend their crown with no soft spots.
In a league where every edge matters and every minute can determine destiny, even the greatest player in the world needs a breather. The question now isn’t whether Jokic is enough — it’s whether Denver can find someone who’s just good enough when he needs a rest.
