Shocking Praise from ESPN Analyst as Nuggets Receive A+ Grade and Spark Superteam Buzz Ahead of Pivotal 2025-26 NBA Season
When ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins gave the Denver Nuggets an “A+” offseason grade during a recent on-air segment, fans, media, and league executives alike collectively raised their eyebrows. The typically reserved Perkins, known more for his critiques than compliments, didn’t just praise the Nuggets—he all but anointed them as the next great threat to NBA dominance. In a summer filled with blockbuster trades, shocking exits, and rising parity across the league, the Denver Nuggets have quietly built something potentially special. The question now buzzing across the NBA landscape: are the Nuggets building a superteam?
At first glance, the word “superteam” might seem like an overstatement. After all, the Nuggets didn’t sign a marquee free agent or add a top-five player via trade. They didn’t land Giannis Antetokounmpo or steal Luka Dončić in a late-night blockbuster. But what they did do—and what Perkins and other analysts are recognizing—is rebuild their depth, correct their strategic flaws, and evolve the team into one with more balance, toughness, and versatility than ever before.
That process started with a bold decision: moving on from Michael Porter Jr. Despite being a key contributor during the team’s 2023 title run, Porter had become a financial and tactical challenge. Set to make $38.3 million for the 2025-26 season, his cap hit was stifling, and his defensive deficiencies remained a concern. Rather than doubling down on a fragile Big Three model with Jokić, Murray, and Porter, the Nuggets front office pulled the trigger on a deal that shipped Porter out and brought in Cam Johnson, Jonas Valančiūnas, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown for a combined $37 million in salary.
That one move alone radically reshaped the roster. It didn’t just cut costs—it added depth, flexibility, and playoff-ready contributors. ESPN’s A+ grade was, in many ways, a reflection of this savvy front-office work: giving up one high-variance scorer to gain four veterans who each bring elite skills in specific areas the Nuggets previously lacked.
Cam Johnson is perhaps the most valuable piece in the deal, and Perkins himself pointed to the 6’8″ sharpshooter as a “perfect fit” in Denver’s offense. Unlike Porter, Johnson doesn’t need volume to be effective. He’s a catch-and-shoot threat, a high-level defender, and a quiet professional who embraces the team-first mentality that defines Denver’s identity under head coach Michael Malone. His presence alongside Jokić and Murray gives the Nuggets a lineup with far more balance and two-way potential.
Then there’s Jonas Valančiūnas, a bruising backup big who solves one of Denver’s most consistent problems: the non-Jokić minutes. The Serbian MVP is unquestionably the engine of the Nuggets, but when he sits, Denver has long struggled to maintain consistency. Valančiūnas is not just a placeholder—he’s a legitimate post threat, elite rebounder, and veteran leader who can carry second units and anchor the paint. With him in the fold, Malone no longer has to rely on small-ball schemes or hope Christian Braun can moonlight as a power forward.
Tim Hardaway Jr. may be streaky, but his value lies in shot creation and floor spacing—two things the Nuggets needed more of off the bench last year. While he’ll never be a lockdown defender, he’s a proven scorer who can swing a playoff game if he gets hot. And in a lower-usage role, surrounded by playmakers, his offensive bursts could be even more effective.
Of course, Bruce Brown’s return is the emotional heart of this offseason. A fan favorite and a pivotal piece of the 2023 championship team, Brown embodies grit, hustle, and defensive versatility. His departure to Indiana last season left a noticeable void in Denver’s rotation—particularly in terms of perimeter defense and energy. Bringing him back gives the Nuggets not only familiarity, but a proven postseason weapon who thrives under pressure.
ESPN’s glowing review wasn’t just about individual players—it was about intentionality. While other teams chased stars, the Nuggets doubled down on identity. They didn’t gamble on fit. They targeted players who elevate Jokić and Murray without sacrificing chemistry. In doing so, they’ve assembled a team that doesn’t just look good on paper—it makes sense on the court.
Kendrick Perkins emphasized this point during the segment, saying, “What the Nuggets just did is rare. They got better as a team. They didn’t just add talent—they added pieces that complete the puzzle.”
That’s where the “superteam” conversation becomes more than just headline fodder. Traditionally, superteams are defined by star power—LeBron-Wade-Bosh in Miami, Durant-Curry-Thompson in Golden State, or even the ill-fated Harden-Kyrie-Durant trio in Brooklyn. But a modern superteam doesn’t necessarily require three MVP-caliber players. In an era defined by injuries, matchup chess, and roster balance, a superteam can also be a collection of elite talent plus elite depth.
By that definition, the 2025-26 Denver Nuggets are inching toward superteam status. They have Nikola Jokić, arguably the best player in the world. They have Jamal Murray, a battle-tested playoff assassin. They have Bruce Brown, Cam Johnson, Valančiūnas, and Hardaway—all experienced, skilled, and hungry. They have Christian Braun and Peyton Watson ready to take the next step. And most importantly, they have cohesion.
What separates Denver from other contenders isn’t just talent—it’s continuity. While teams like Phoenix and Philadelphia undergo annual overhauls, the Nuggets have preserved their core while upgrading around the margins. Malone knows how to get the best out of his roster, and the players understand their roles. There’s no ego. No identity crisis. Just basketball.
The upcoming preseason opener in San Diego will be the public’s first look at this new iteration. While it’s unlikely Malone will reveal much in terms of schemes or minutes, fans will be watching to see how the new pieces integrate, particularly alongside Jokić. For a team this deep, the biggest challenge may be balancing touches and minutes. But that’s a luxury problem—the kind of issue true contenders face.
The “A+” offseason grade also underscores something else: Denver’s front office has become one of the most respected in the league. Led by Calvin Booth, the Nuggets’ decision-makers have shown a rare mix of patience, boldness, and precision. They don’t panic. They don’t make emotional moves. Every deal has a purpose. And more often than not, they get it right.
Remember: it was Booth who pulled off the trade to bring in Aaron Gordon in 2021. It was Booth who signed Bruce Brown on a bargain deal in 2022. And it was Booth who prioritized development over splashy headlines last summer. This year, he read the moment perfectly. He knew the team needed more playoff-ready bodies. He knew Porter’s contract was unsustainable. And he acted—quickly, decisively, and effectively.
If there’s a cautionary tale, it’s the potential disruption of chemistry. MPJ, despite his flaws, was a beloved teammate and a homegrown player. Replacing him with four new faces creates a new dynamic, one that could take time to solidify. But early signs suggest the locker room is embracing the change. Jokić, who rarely comments on transactions, reportedly signed off on the deal and has already begun workouts with several of the new additions.
From a cap management perspective, the Nuggets also scored a major win. By flipping one max contract into four reasonable deals, they’ve given themselves flexibility in future seasons. That’s critical in the age of the second tax apron, where teams like the Warriors and Clippers are feeling the crunch. Denver, meanwhile, has options. They can trade, re-sign, or pivot without dismantling the core.
So, is this a superteam?
Maybe not in the traditional sense. But in terms of balance, intelligence, depth, and championship potential? The Nuggets are closer than most. And they did it their way—without a headline-grabbing superstar move, without drama, and without mortgaging the future.
Kendrick Perkins may be the first major analyst to give them an A+, but he likely won’t be the last. As the season tips off and the Nuggets begin their journey to reclaim the throne, the basketball world will be watching closely. This is a team that isn’t just trying to compete.
They’re trying to own the moment.
And they just might.
