NBA free agency winners and losers: Can Paul George lift the 76ers?

Jokic is 29 years old and widely regarded as the NBA’s best player. He carried the Nuggets to the 2023 title and is talented enough to single-handedly keep them among the league’s top 2025 contenders. Unfortunately, the Nuggets have struggled mightily to retain talent around their franchise center.

Bruce Brown, a sparkplug guard on the 2023 title team, bounced last summer when he unexpectedly landed a huge contract from the Indiana Pacers. Then, Caldwell-Pope, a key starter for two seasons, claimed a three-year, $66 million contract from the Magic on Sunday and didn’t look back. In another cost-cutting move, Denver sent three second-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets to shed Reggie Jackson’s $5.3 million last week.

The Nuggets still appear poised to sign Jamal Murray, their second-best player, to a long-term extension, and their skimping now could make it easier to re-sign Aaron Gordon once he’s due a new deal. Still, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Jokic will be headed into next year’s playoffs with one hand tied behind his back.

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