5 Will Barton
SF | Age: 28 | 6-foot-6 | 190 pounds
Barton is paid like a starter, but his role is locked in. A career-best 2017-18 season landed him a contract extension and injuries/inconsistency last season halted a rising career arc. Barton brings a dynamic offensive presence when he can find his rhythm. Now, Barton needs to keep it.
25 Malik Beasley
SG | 22 | 6-5 | 198 pounds
Beasley and the Nuggets were unable to reach an extension ahead of Monday’s deadline, meaning he’ll play this season without his next contract in hand. If Beasley can shoot like he did last season, he’ll have no trouble cashing in next summer.
10 Bol Bol
C | 19 | 7-2 | 235 pounds
A two-way contract will limit Bol’s NBA introduction as he’s recovering from foot surgery. Denver balanced risk and reward by taking him in the second round. A rare combination of shooting touch and size makes his upside sky high, but Bol is a long-term project who needs time to develop.
31 Vlatko Cancar
PF | 22 | 6-8 | 210 pounds
The 2017 second-round pick from Slovenia averaged 8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game through summer league. He signed a three-year deal with the Nuggets during the offseason. Cancar faces stiff competition for playing time with Denver loaded at wing.
3 Torrey Craig
SF | 28 | 6-6 | 215 pounds
From undrafted in 2014, to starting in the playoffs, Craig’s NBA evolution is impressive. He’s in serious contention to keep that role should he continue to lock down opposing forwards while being a consistent spot-up shooter. Craig must create his offensive opportunities by moving without the ball.
35 PJ Dozier
PG | 22 | 6-6 | 205 pounds
The Nuggets signed Dozier, a third-year pro from South Carolina, this offseason and he was placed on a two-way contract. He’s one of three point guards on the roster, meaning if Jamal Murray or Monte Morris is unable to play, Denver could turn to Dozier for reserve minutes.
9 Jerami Grant
SF | 25 | 6-8 | 214 pounds
Denver traded for Grant this offseason after a career year in Oklahoma City with highs for points (13.6), 3-point percentage (39.2) and rebounds (5.2). He will initially back up starter Paul Millsap, but Grantap versatility and scoring could be a huge difference-maker.
14 Gary Harris
SG | 25 | 6-5 | 205 pounds
Injuries derailed much of last season for Harris prior to him making critical contributions in Denver’s first-round playoff series victory. When healthy, Harris is the Nuggets’ best perimeter defender and one of their best 3-point shooters. He still has much to prove in his sixth season.
41 Juancho Hernangomez
SF | 24 | 6-9 | 220 pounds
Hernangomez could have a big season ahead of him if he can find minutes. Before a nagging core injury limited him in the second half last season, he was a reliable shooter and tenacious rebounder. A healthy offseason, featuring a gold medal run with Spain in the FIBA World Cup, could spell a bounceback campaign.
15 Nikola Jokic
C | 24 | 6-11 | 253 pounds
No longer is Denver’s lovable Serbian a hidden gem in the Rockies. His otherworldly performance in the playoffs put the entire NBA on notice, and now, an encore will come with championship expectations. Jokic must learn to keep his emotions in check at important times.
4 Paul Millsap
PF | 34 | 6-8 | 250 pounds
The title window is closing for an aging star in the final year of his contract. Millsap is no longer the dependable scorer of his prime, but his leadership is essential when Denver encounters adversity. Managing his minutes with the Nuggets’ youth will keep him fresh going into the playoffs.
11 Monte Morris
PG | 24 | 6-2 | 175 pounds
The third-year pro solidified his backup point guard role with just a 6.6% turnover rate a year ago and consistent scoring off the bench. Morris hit a wall in postseason play and admitted as much. Improved conditioning and increased jump-shooting efficiency are his goals this season.
27 Jamal Murray
PG | 22 | 6-4 | 201 pounds
Expectations have never been higher for Murray to play at an All-Star level after he signed a $170 million max contract this offseason. He is among the game’s top scorers at his position, but defensive lapses were exposed in Denver’s second-round playoffs exit. Those must be cleaned up.
24 Mason Plumlee
C | 29 | 7-1 | 238 pounds
Plumlee is the ultimate “glue guy” and his development in the pick-and-roll with Morris has been a nice development on the second unit. Plumlee must embrace an enforcer role at the rim and on the glass, in addition to improving his midrange game, to keep his minutes consistent.
1 Michael Porter Jr.
SF | 21 | 6-10 | 215 pounds
Porter has shown flashes of what made him a projected top-three NBA draft pick in 2018 before a second back surgery delayed his highly anticipated debut. Expect a learning curve. No one doubts Porter’s offensive talent, but there are question marks about his defense.
8 Jarred Vanderbilt
PF | 20 | 6-9 | 214 pounds
A string of leg/foot injuries kept the former 5-star Kentucky signee from realizing his potential. Now healthy, the Nuggets hope he’ll be an athletic rebounder with the ball-handling skills of a guard. Playing time might prove difficult, though, as he’s behind several established forwards.
