Denver Nuggets

Michael Porter Jr. -- The Nuggets had a variety of players break out last season. From Malik Beasley to Monte Morris, the Nuggets 2018-19 season was full of players improving. Denver needs the same to occur this season if they want to maintain success and Porter Jr. could be at the forefront of that movement. After recovering from injury during the 2018-19 season, Porter Jr. is back and ready to make an impact for the Nuggets. If Porter can stay healthy, he could be Denver’s missing piece that could take them to NBA Finals contention.

The Nuggets can’t stay healthy. Denver has been fortunate the last couple of years to have solid health to their stars, but that could change in a heartbeat. Nikola Jokic is the straw that stirs the Nuggets drink, and if he were to miss any time, it might spell trouble for Denver. It will be imperative for Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Gary Harris to stay in the lineup for most of the year. If that happens, the Nuggets could be in for another big season.

It is a new era of Denver Nuggets basketball. The bar was already set last season and now it is time for the Nuggets to take the next step forward. Last year, Denver’s season came to a close in the Western Conference Semifinals. This year’s goal? To surpass that mark and not just reach the Conference Finals, but contend for a championship. If the Nuggets can stay healthy and continue to improve, that goal could be achieved. It has been 10 years (2008-09) since the Nuggets made the Conference Finals, a streak that could come to an end this season.

The Nuggets won 54 games in the regular season last year and added seven more in the playoffs. A team on the rise, Denver is poised for another 50+ win season and another playoff run. Slam the over on Denver as they are ready to compete again this season. With the majority of the roster returning to go along with additions like Jerami Grant and Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets will surpass that 52.5 number set by the Vegas oddsmakers.