The Denver Nuggets, fresh off their championship win, have set their sights on creating a dynasty in the NBA. General manager Calvin Booth is openly ambitious about their goals, aiming for three or four titles in the near future. With key players like Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr. locked into long-term contracts, the Nuggets have a strong core that forms the foundation of their championship aspirations.
Booth’s philosophy for player acquisition is highly targeted, focusing on attributes like basketball IQ, character, positional size, and skill proficiency. This approach ensures that the team’s roster complements the core players and minimizes skill overlap. It’s a departure from the more traditional method of casting a wide net in player recruitment.
“I just want dudes that we try to develop, and it’s sustainable, If it costs us the chance to win a championship this year, so be it. It’s worth the investment. It’s more about winning three out of six, three out of seven, four out of eight than it is about trying to go back-to-back.” : Booth said.
The Nuggets aren't just preparing to hang their first championship banner in 47 years—they’re eyeing a dynasty.@KevinOConnorNBA: https://t.co/8r5NKjoMTf pic.twitter.com/Kx3Fy6KFbp
— RingerNBA (@ringernba) October 16, 2023
However, there are challenges on the horizon, including the new collective bargaining agreement with punitive luxury tax measures and restrictions on trades and signings. These changes will make it harder for high-priced teams to retain talent. The Nuggets are focused on building a sustainable team by targeting older rookies in the draft and carefully managing their roster.
While the departure of some key rotation players presented a challenge, the Nuggets opted not to pursue expensive veteran free agents, preferring to develop their young talent. This approach aims to ensure that the team doesn’t become reliant on mercenaries and can maintain a strong core of homegrown talent.
In a changing landscape where dynasties are becoming increasingly rare, the Nuggets are striving to demonstrate a new blueprint for long-term success in the NBA.
