The Nuggets are plotting a strategic bounce-back, weighing a veteran playmaker to ignite a second unit and restore balance after a tough playoff exit.
Denver chased a rapid rebuild this offseason, swinging for impact pieces to stay in the Western Conference mix. The club added Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas, then locked in Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown to round out the rotation. Those moves signal a willingness to diversify the attack: Johnson stretches the floor with his shooting, Valanciunas brings reliable rebounding and screen-setting, Hardaway adds shot-creation, and Brown supplies relentless energy in transition. It’s a blueprint built on versatility, with the front office betting that more options will translate into fewer predictable nights.
The goal is to rebound after back-to-back second-round exits and to avoid the stagnation that slowed last season’s momentum. The squad faces a Western Conference loaded with title contenders, so bench production can tilt tight playoff series. This is where the Nuggets want to lean on depth, allowing star players to marshal energy down the stretch while timely stops and timely baskets come from the second unit. The summer shakeup gives them a better chance to answer that challenge.
Yet the real drama centers on the backcourt, where the club could see the departure of Russell Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star who has moved around the league in recent years. His likely exit would free minutes and salary space, but it also shapes how aggressively Denver pursues an established facilitator to run the show behind Jokic. The questions aren’t just about names; they’re about how a veteran guard can pace the game, set the tone, and keep Denver’s pressing defense sharp when the rotation tightens in the late stages of games.
That vacancy has kept chatter around the Pacers and their guard, McConnell. Trade chatter has pinned him as a fit, a veteran guard whose value isn’t just scoring but playmaking and defense. In a Nuggets context, his willingness to push pace and tempo could help Denver’s second unit spark productive stretches when Jokic sits. It’s a profile that could mesh with the Nuggets’ ball-movement emphasis and their desire for a sturdy, late-game defender.
Analysts have noted the potential chemistry benefits, pointing to McConnell’s ability to steady the offense and apply pressure on the perimeter. If a deal materializes, Denver could get a proven facilitator who can navigate playoff atmospheres and keep the flow smooth when Jokic rests.
Indiana, though, is no pushover on this deal. They rode McConnell during their run to the NBA Finals last season and may not be eager to part with him unless the price is right. Still, with Denver’s appetite for a proven backup and the opportunity to unlock more minutes for their star trio, talks could heat up as the offseason progresses. The landscape is fluid, and patient teams will hold their cards until a clear path emerges.
If Denver pulls the trigger, McConnell would bring tempo control and defensive bite to a unit that must survive long stretches without Jokic, especially against faster lineups that punish small-ball squadrons. His floor-raising instincts would keep the offense humming, while his awareness on the other end could compensate for occasional lapses in the second group. In short, a veteran guard of his mold checks multiple boxes the Nuggets are chasing this summer.
The season’s clock is ticking, and the Nuggets know breadth and balance decide playoff fates as much as star power does. They’ve built an adaptable canvas, now they must color it with the right guard, a presence who can turn spare minutes into meaningful possessions. Whether that comes in a McConnell-sized deal or another path, Denver’s front office has a clear mission: maximize depth, protect Jokic’s minutes, and keep their title-aspiring rivals honest night after night.