Former NBA coach George Karl recently took aim at the Denver Nuggets, expressing disappointment in their roster-building efforts around superstar Nikola Jokić.
Karl, known for his candid opinions, took to Twitter to compare the Nuggets’ strategy with how the Golden State Warriors built around Stephen Curry. He suggested that the Nuggets may be squandering an opportunity to turn Jokić’s prime into multiple championships, just as the Warriors did with Curry.
“When a team has the fortune of landing a generational player, like Curry or Jokić, it should do all it can to capitalize on that player’s greatness – and win as many championships as possible,” Karl tweeted. “The Warriors did with Curry. Will the Nuggets with Jokić? It’s shaky right now.”
Karl’s comments have sparked debate among fans and analysts alike, particularly as the Nuggets struggle to maintain the depth necessary to remain title contenders.
Roster Turnover Raises Doubts
Since their 2023 championship run, the Nuggets have faced key roster losses, raising questions about their ability to stay competitive. In 2024, Denver lost critical players like Bruce Brown and Jeff Green, and this offseason, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson also departed. These players were instrumental in the team’s depth and playoff success.
While the Nuggets signed veteran Russell Westbrook and brought in Dario Šarić, neither player seems to be a perfect fit for a team built around Jokić’s unique skill set. The decision to re-sign DeAndre Jordan also raised eyebrows, given his decline in recent years.
Karl’s comparison to the Warriors is particularly pointed. Golden State surrounded Curry with elite talent, such as Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, and even made bold moves like acquiring Kevin Durant in 2016, which propelled them to multiple championships.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets have been more conservative, hesitant to dip deeply into the luxury tax. This reluctance could cost them down the road.
Is Jokić’s Championship Window Being Wasted?
Karl’s critique isn’t just about the players the Nuggets have lost—it’s also about the organization’s financial strategy. While the Warriors have shown a willingness to pay exorbitant luxury tax penalties to maintain a championship roster, Denver’s financial approach has been more cautious.
Golden State’s projected luxury tax bill for 2024 is a staggering $176.9 million, while Denver’s combined luxury tax bills over the last two seasons total less than $40 million.
Nikola Jokić, a three-time MVP and widely regarded as one of the best players in the league, is capable of carrying a team deep into the playoffs. However, as Karl pointed out, even the most talented players need strong supporting casts to secure championships. The Nuggets still boast a strong core with Jokić, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon, but their bench has thinned out considerably.
The question now is whether Denver is willing to make the aggressive moves necessary to capitalize on Jokić’s prime years. If not, they risk falling behind the Western Conference’s elite teams.
Nuggets at a Crossroads
As Karl’s comments suggest, the Nuggets are at a crucial juncture. Despite coming close to reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2024, the team faces questions about its depth and willingness to spend. With Nikola Jokić in his prime, the pressure is on the front office to build a roster capable of contending for multiple championships.
Ultimately, the Nuggets’ success hinges on how much they’re willing to invest—both financially and strategically—in surrounding their generational star with the talent he needs to win more titles.-
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