Denver Nuggets president Josh Kroenke stated that the team is open to roster changes following its first-round playoff exit but will not trade Nikola Jokic.
The Nuggets finished the regular season with a 54-28 record as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference despite significant injuries. Aaron Gordon played in only 36 games, Christian Braun in 44, and Peyton Watson and Cameron Johnson in 54 each. The team then lost its first-round series to the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games. Kroenke addressed reporters at a press conference Friday, noting the group never got a chance to build rhythm when healthy. He said the season was in many ways the one that never was because the team could not show what it could do over a sustained period. Kroenke emphasized that everything remains on the table for improvement except trading Jokic, leaving open the possibility of moves involving players such as Jamal Murray or Aaron Gordon. Coach David Adelman highlighted needs in ball-handling and one-on-one defense, while executives discussed retaining restricted free agent Peyton Watson without exceeding salary limits.
