With Major Offseason Moves, Denver Nuggets Look Stronger Than Ever and Could Be NBA Champions When 2026 Season Ends

The Denver Nuggets have wasted no time asserting themselves as legitimate title contenders for the upcoming 2025–26 NBA season. After a disappointing second-round playoff exit in 2025, the team’s front office made it abundantly clear that standing still wasn’t an option. With bold trades, smart free agent acquisitions, and a laser-focused commitment to maximizing their championship window around Nikola Jokić, the Nuggets look not only refreshed but even better than they did during their 2023 title run. The moves they’ve made over the offseason have put them back into serious title contention—perhaps more so than at any time in franchise history.

The biggest headline of Denver’s offseason is undoubtedly the blockbuster trade that brought in Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. Known for his elite perimeter defense, ironman durability, and improving offensive game, Bridges is a perfect fit next to Jokić. Denver had been lacking a true wing stopper who could guard the likes of Luka Dončić, Kevin Durant, or Jayson Tatum in a seven-game series. With Bridges, that hole is filled. Even more encouraging is the fact that Bridges brings with him a selfless, team-first mentality—something that aligns perfectly with head coach Michael Malone’s system and the Nuggets’ pass-heavy offensive style.

While trading for Bridges meant parting ways with Michael Porter Jr. and multiple draft picks, the calculus behind the move made sense. Porter’s shooting and length were invaluable, but his defensive limitations and streaky performances made him unreliable when it counted most. Bridges, on the other hand, gives the Nuggets two-way stability on the wing without demanding touches that could disrupt the rhythm of the offense. He’s capable of hitting open shots, cutting to the basket, and creating for himself when needed—but he doesn’t need the ball to be effective. That subtle but crucial difference could be what takes Denver from contender to champion again.

In free agency, Denver pulled off another coup by signing veteran guard Jrue Holiday, who became available after an unexpected contract dispute with the Celtics. Holiday, a former NBA champion and perennial All-Defensive team selection, gives the Nuggets a versatile backcourt option who can take pressure off Jamal Murray both offensively and defensively. The move signals a win-now approach that doesn’t compromise the long-term viability of the team. Holiday’s ability to play either guard spot and defend the opponent’s best perimeter player allows Murray to focus more on scoring and playmaking rather than being overtaxed on both ends.

Together, Bridges and Holiday elevate Denver’s defense to levels it hasn’t seen in years. This is especially significant because the Nuggets’ offense—anchored by Jokić’s otherworldly playmaking—has rarely been the problem. Defensive consistency has often been the missing piece in deep playoff runs, and now with two elite defenders on the roster, the team looks more balanced than ever before. Imagine a closing lineup featuring Jokić, Murray, Bridges, Holiday, and Aaron Gordon. That unit combines high basketball IQ, defensive grit, and playoff experience—a recipe built for the high-stakes intensity of late May and June.

The Nuggets also made a few under-the-radar moves that could prove invaluable as the season progresses. One such signing was veteran forward Torrey Craig, who returns to Denver after stints with Phoenix and Indiana. Craig brings toughness, switchability on defense, and familiarity with Malone’s system. He may not be a starter, but his presence on the bench gives Denver a steady hand and valuable depth in the forward rotation. This kind of veteran insurance could become vital in a grueling playoff series, where every possession matters and roles are magnified.

Denver also retained key role players from last season, including Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Christian Braun. Both were instrumental during the team’s 2023 championship run, and their continued presence ensures continuity. Caldwell-Pope’s 3-and-D presence and Braun’s energy and toughness off the bench provide the glue that championship teams need. Keeping those players despite roster changes around them was a sign of thoughtful planning from GM Calvin Booth, who has quickly earned a reputation as one of the league’s savviest front office minds.

From a stylistic standpoint, the Nuggets are better equipped to play both fast and slow this season. With the additions of Bridges and Holiday, they can push the pace when needed, switching on defense and creating turnovers that lead to fast-break opportunities. At the same time, they remain lethal in the halfcourt, where Jokić can pick defenses apart with his passes, screens, and touch around the rim. The synergy between offense and defense is stronger than ever, and the team’s improved versatility should make them matchup-proof in the postseason.

Of course, health will always be a critical factor. Jamal Murray’s ability to stay on the court consistently is vital to the team’s title hopes. When healthy, Murray has proven he can elevate his game on the biggest stages, as seen in both the 2020 bubble and the 2023 title run. The hope is that with Holiday easing his workload during the regular season, Murray can enter the playoffs fresh and firing on all cylinders. Meanwhile, Jokić’s ironman durability continues to be one of the Nuggets’ greatest assets. He rarely misses games, and his presence alone elevates Denver’s floor to top-tier status.

There’s also a renewed hunger within the organization. After tasting championship success in 2023, followed by a disappointing playoff exit in 2025, the Nuggets return this season with unfinished business. Jokić, never one to seek headlines or personal accolades, has quietly committed himself to improving on both ends of the floor. His conditioning, passing vision, and decision-making remain unmatched, but those close to the team say he’s also focused on becoming more assertive as a scorer in clutch moments—an area where Denver fell short last postseason.

Team chemistry, which has always been a strong suit for the Nuggets, is unlikely to suffer with the new additions. Bridges and Holiday are both known as locker-room leaders and consummate professionals. Their presence adds maturity and playoff poise—qualities that become invaluable during tense postseason stretches. With Malone’s leadership and Jokić’s unselfish example setting the tone, Denver’s locker room should remain one of the most cohesive in the league.

Perhaps most importantly, the Western Conference landscape remains open. While teams like the Timberwolves, Thunder, and Mavericks are rising, and the Lakers and Warriors are still lurking, none have a combination of depth, star power, and cohesion quite like the Nuggets. Denver has the best player in the world in Jokić, a proven playoff star in Murray, elite defenders in Bridges and Holiday, and a supporting cast that knows what it takes to win. This is not a team built to win games in January—it’s a team designed to survive and thrive in June.

As training camp approaches, the buzz around Ball Arena is palpable. Fans are excited, players are locked in, and the organization feels like it’s in the midst of something special. The 2025–26 Denver Nuggets are not a team chasing a fluke title or trying to recapture past glory. They are a franchise fully committed to sustained excellence, led by one of the greatest big men in NBA history, surrounded by hand-picked talent designed to win now. Every move this offseason has been about winning, and the pieces are in place for that vision to become a reality.

If the new additions stay healthy and the team jells the way it’s expected to, there’s every reason to believe the Larry O’Brien Trophy could return to Denver in 2026. The Nuggets have never looked more ready, more balanced, or more determined. This is a team with the tools, the motivation, and the blueprint to finish what they started—and etch their names once again in NBA history.