Less than 24 hours from now, Denver Nuggets Media Day will begin in earnest. Players are getting back into town, smiles will be everywhere, and new faces will be introduced to the Nuggets fan base.
Often, the first media session will seem like previous ones. For Nikola Jokic, this will be the 10th Media Day of his NBA career. He’s a bit more popular than he was back then, but the experiences likely blend together for him. He will most likely crack some jokes, express a small measure of exasperation about the event, say he’s excited to get in the gym with his teammates for a new season, and wrap things up with: “It was a pleasure, like always.”
That prediction will likely be spot on, but how will the rest of Media Day go?
A championship expectation will be declared once again
After winning the championship in 2023, Media Day before the 2023-24 season was all about how the Nuggets needed to get comfortable with having a target on their backs. That was a common theme throughout press conferences throughout the preseason and into the regular season. Teams were going to give the Nuggets their best shot, and the Nuggets had to be ready to take it. For much of the season, they handled the pressure well, but it ultimately wore them down by the time the playoffs arrived.
This year, expect more of the same. The Nuggets know they had an opportunity last year, and just because it didn’t work out then doesn’t mean it can’t work now. With Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon all back and in their prime, there’s no reason Denver can’t be in the mix once again. It will take some developments, but another championship remains the fixture of the team.
Michael Malone will leave the starting Shooting Guard competition open AND endorse Christian Braun
There’s no doubt that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a fixture in the starting lineup for the last two seasons, will be a big loss for the Nuggets. KCP got paid to go to the Orlando Magic, and the Nuggets are left with questions to answer.
Prior to KCP’s departure in July, general manager Calvin Booth endorsed now third year wing Christian Braun as a capable replacement in the starting five. The writing was on the wall then that the Nuggets were moving on, and Booth made it clear who he believes the Nuggets next starting shooting guard will be.
Michael Malone will likely settle on Braun as the starter after training camp, but don’t expect him to declare Braun the opening night starter before he has to. Malone has long maintained belief in earning a starting role, and this situation is one where he will try and build some competition. Braun has started just 10 games in his young career, and there are other players (Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther) that have at least a case to start next to the core four.
It will likely be Braun who starts in the end, and Malone will give him an endorsement of his work and talent to reflect that; however, expecting Malone to declare zero competition for the starting spot would be a bridge too far.
Russell Westbrook’s introduction to the team will be a positive one
There’s a narrative out there that Russell Westbrook can be combative with media. At times, he will take umbrage with questions or statements made about him or the team, and that has often set an expectation for how all interactions to go with the veteran point guard.
Tomorrow, I expect Westbrook to be all smiles, ready to go to work in his 17th season. His relationship with Nikola Jokic was reported upon this summer, and the Nuggets clearly want him here. Michael Malone will almost assuredly say the words “Let Russ be Russ” while the Nuggets veterans will express excitement to get to work with a legend of the NBA.
In addition, Westbrook’s most recent work in his hometown Los Angeles community involved founding a new high school, something I will surely ask him about unless someone beats me to it. Incredible work by Westbrook showing the kind of player and person the Nuggets are adding to their roster.
Jamal Murray will declare he wants to be a Nugget for life
It took a bit longer than expected, but Jamal Murray signed on the dotted line of a four-year max contract extension this offseason. It was met with some criticisms, but the Nuggets decided to commit fully to Murray and what he brings to Denver. His ability to raise his game in the playoffs, take and make difficult shots, and compete at the highest level are exactly what the Nuggets need next to Jokic to win another championship.
Tomorrow, Murray will likely reaffirm that commitment, sharing how much his relationships with the team and the city mean to him. He wants to win a championship too, and he knows what it takes to get there. Injuries sapped him and the team of the best possible opportunity last year, but it doesn’t mean they can’t bounce back in 2025.
How Murray responds to questions about All-Star teams and other accolades is anyone’s guess, but Murray’s commitment to winning a title is unquestioned. He will look to set the record straight on the offseason, answer questions about the Olympics, and how this year will be better.
Muscle Watch
A tale as old as time. There will always be players excited to discuss their gains this offseason. Improve the jumper? Put on 10 pounds of muscle? Add a new move to the bag? Players are often excited to share, as they should be.
The leading candidate in the clubhouse for Muscle Watch? Definitely Peyton Watson. He’s one of Denver’s most exciting players to watch heading into 2024-25 with a top tier defensive wing profile. A former five-star recruit with ball handling capability, Watson will likely share some interesting tidbits about his summer calendar and his expectations moving forward.
Other candidates: Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, Zeke Nnaji, Hunter Tyson, Michael Porter Jr.,