Denver Nuggets 2025 Season Review
Calendar icon Updated 16 Jul 03:03

Denver Nuggets 2025 Season Review

Juan Pablo Aravena Juan Pablo Aravena

The 2024-25 season for the Denver Nuggets went as expected, with one player trying to carry a roster that had no business being a contender. What began as another MVP-calibre campaign from Nikola Jokić ended with stunning front office changes and a second-round playoff exit that left the franchise at a crossroads.

Performance

The Nuggets managed to hold down a respectable 50-32 record, grabbing the fourth seed in the competitive Western Conference and second place in the Northwest Division. However, underneath the overall solid numbers, there was an entire season of frustration and missed expectations for a team that had been so good the year before.

Nikola Jokić delivered what many consider his finest statistical season, becoming the first centre in NBA history to average a triple-double with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. 

On top of that, the Serbian superstar somehow managed to break even more records, becoming the first player ever to rank in the top three of all major statistical categories (scoring, rebounding, and assists). And last but certainly not least, his historic 30-20-20 performance against Phoenix on March 7, 2025, made him the first player in NBA history to record such a stat line.

However, even with Jokić playing like a legitimate demigod, the season as a whole was inconsistent, with a massive hole on the defensive side of the ball. The team’s defensive rating plummeted from eighth the previous season to 21st.

Now, Jamal Murray’s injury struggles definitely hurt the defence overall, forcing the team to rely heavily on younger players like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson. Still, veterans Russell Westbrook and Dario Šarić really needed to step up when it mattered.

But none of that even compares to what happened with just three games remaining in the regular season, when ownership fired both head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, basically making Jokić the coach. 

Apparently, the fallout was the result of a “cold war” between the two leaders that had become toxic throughout the organization. Players and staff were reportedly forced to choose sides, creating a miserable environment that completely decimated any chances they may have had.

It’s really sad Jokić didn’t get a chance to grab a ring in what was the best statistical season of all time, falling just shy of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who won largely due to his team’s success. 

But at least the Joker joined an elite group as only the third player in NBA history with five consecutive top-two MVP finishes, alongside Bill Russell and Larry Bird.

Playoff Performance

The Nuggets entered the playoffs under interim head coach David Adelman, but in reality, it was the Joker who was calling all of the shots, which added even more to his plate. But even with the upheaval, they managed to advance past the first round, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in a gruelling seven-game series.

Aaron Gordon finally did something after having a miserable regular season, putting down a clutch playoff dunk in Game 4 against the Clippers that helped swing momentum in Denver’s favour. 

However, the second round exposed the team completely, catching them with their pants down. Facing the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, the Nuggets fell in seven games, with Jokić doing literally everything in his power to win the series.

It really became a showdown between the MVP candidates Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander, with both players going off. Jokić averaged 28.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in the series, while Gilgeous-Alexander posted 29.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists.

However, the Thunder’s youth, athleticism, and depth ultimately proved to be a bit too much for the Joker to handle on his own. 

Oklahoma City’s outside presence was far stronger, creating matchup problems the Nuggets couldn’t solve. Their early playoff exit was quite brutal for fans, as most had expected them to contend for another championship.

The playoff run really highlighted both the team’s overdependence on Jokić and their bench’s complete inability to step up when they’re needed.

Next Season Outlook

The 2025-26 season could be either really good or really bad for the Nuggets. David Adelman’s promotion from interim to full-time head coach should give a little bit of stability to the overall roster, but his effectiveness is unknown. The 44-year-old son of Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman did do quite well during his first couple of games, earning Jokić’s endorsement, but we really don’t know how he’s going to do.

However, the team really doesn’t have the salary space to make any real changes going into next season as they sit right on the edge of the luxury tax. 

Aaron Gordon’s extension kicks in at $32 million annually, while Jamal Murray’s supermax deal continues to impact payroll flexibility even with him out of the lineup.

The best they can do is maintain their solid championship core and look for undervalued role players. Michael Porter Jr. does seem to have some potential as a trade candidate, considering his terrible play in the playoffs, but we really don’t know what will happen.

Young players like Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, and Jalen Pickett will also need to take some meaningful steps, or else they’re going to be on the chopping block pretty soon.

As for the front office situation, it’s still really up in the air with general manager Ben Tenzer potentially competing against external candidates for the permanent position. This will probably paralyze any trade talks for a while, which is another massive L.

Most critically, the Nuggets face an existential question about their championship window as Jokić is still in his prime. But the Western Conference just keeps getting stronger, so if they don’t get him a better second option, they could waste his best years.

The organization really needs to find a way to make another championship run possible while they have the chance, even if it means taking a hit on the luxury tax.

The upcoming season will be a litmus test to see if this team can truly contend again, or if the organizational changes and roster limitations prove too much for them to overcome.

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