Starting Five
11 Monte Morris
Guard | 26 | 6-foot-2 | 183 pounds
With the keys to the offense in his hands, Morris has a golden opportunity in front of him. The steady, pass-first guard has been among the most reliable backup point guards in the NBA for the last three seasons. Jamal Murray’s injury creates an opening for Morris to steer an elite offense and prove he’s more than capable of holding down a starter’s job in the NBA. Expect him to rise to the occasion.
5 Will Barton
Guard | 30 | 6-6 | 181
The word trickling out of training camp was that Barton had his legs back. An ankle injury slowed his preseason progress, but Barton played in the final two games and looked lively. Barton, himself, has said this is the healthiest he’s felt in two seasons. If that translates to the court, and he can stay healthy, his new two-year deal will have been worth it.
1 Michael Porter Jr.
Forward | 23 | 6-10 | 218
Porter’s role within the team’s hierarchy has grown each of the past two seasons. This year, without Nikola Jokic’s running mate, his job will elevate once again. Porter’s responsibilities include stretching the floor, creating off the dribble, moving without the ball and rebounding. Defensively, the team needs more incremental improvement, communication and awareness. It’s a lot to ask, but his max contract suggests a belief he can match those goals.
50 Aaron Gordon
Forward | 26 | 6-8 | 235
Gordon was the first to say he didn’t play to his capability during last year’s postseason. Part of it was health, but part of it was also fit. Gordon didn’t look comfortable in his expanded role after Murray was out for the season. Armed with a new contract and having regained his health, the Nuggets are counting on Gordon to be a pillar this season and for years to come.
15 Nikola Jokic
Center | 26 | 6-11 | 284
What can Jokic possibly do to reinforce his status as the most dominant big man in the NBA? He’s not the favorite to win MVP again, but there’s no reason he can’t be as unstoppable as he was last season. Jokic thinks the game on a level like only a few basketball players in the world, including LeBron James and Luka Doncic. With him healthy, all options are on the table this season.
Sixth man
35 P.J. Dozier
Guard | 24 | 6-6 | 205
Dozier is one of the unsung swing pieces of the season. His versatility makes him a favorite of coach Michael Malone, and he’s still got plenty of room to grow his game. With his length, Dozier can comfortably check guards and forwards. Offensively, expect to see him as a ball-handler, spot-up shooter, rebounder and cutter. If he can stay healthy — a theme of this Nuggets roster — he’ll be in line for a contract extension this spring.
Reserves
0 JaMychal Green
Forward | 31 | 6-8 | 227
With Paul Millsap in Brooklyn, Green no longer has to look over his shoulder and wonder if he’ll be playing. Malone values his toughness, defense, rebounding and physicality. If he can consistently knock down his 3-point looks, he’ll likely be one of the anchors of the second unit.
00 Markus Howard
Guard | 22 | 5-10 | 175
Howard, one of the Nuggets’ two two-way players, can catch fire in a hurry. His 31 points in the team’s final preseason game against Oklahoma City was a testament to his long-range shooting acumen. Similar to last season, Howard could be called upon in the event of an emergency in the backcourt. Until then, he’ll likely develop further in the G League.
3 Bones Hyland
Guard | 21 | 6-2 | 169
Has any rookie injected more excitement into Denver’s rotation over the last several years than Hyland? The VCU product plays downhill, with outstanding pace and aggression. His approach puts pressure on the defense, and he’s not scared of the moment. Following an excellent training camp, Malone has all but said he’s going to see what Hyland can do in the regular season.
7 Facu Campazzo
Guard | 30 | 5-10 | 195
When the Nuggets reeled off a 13-5 record to close the regular season and then knocked off the Trail Blazers in the first round, no player saw a jump in responsibilities more than Campazzo. He went from 18 minutes per game to 31, trailing only Jokic and Porter in court time. The pesky, relentless guard has a knack for playing bigger than his stature, but he’s going to need to become more of an offensive threat so teams can guard him honestly.
8 Jeff Green
Forward | 35 | 6-8 | 235
The other Green doesn’t jump like a 35-year-old. The oldest player on the Nuggets’ roster still has bounce in his step and advice to offer Denver’s young core. And he’s going to play. The Nuggets aren’t carrying a traditional backup center, which means those duties fall to Green. He’s already raised his voice in film sessions and asked teammates to hold him accountable. The under-the-radar addition may be more impactful than people realize.
10 Bol Bol
Center | 21 | 7-2 | 220
Something may have clicked for Bol this offseason. Having struggled to play meaningful minutes thus far in his NBA career, Bol has begun approaching the NBA like a job. That’s meant practicing hard, remaining engaged and staying ready. If nothing else, Bol has at least put himself in position to get a chance. At this point, that’s all he can control.
21 Petr Cornelie
Forward | 26 | 6-11 | 220
The former draft-and-stash big man came over to the NBA this summer and accepted the team’s other two-way position. His work ethic and improvement over the last few seasons caught team president Tim Connelly’s attention. Cornelie will likely spend a significant amount of time in the G League with the Grand Rapids Gold.
22 Zeke Nnaji
Forward | 20 | 6-9 | 240
Nnaji hasn’t had the preseason that might’ve shifted him in line for a bigger role this season. Instead, he’ll fall behind the Greens in the frontcourt depth chart. The team loves his defensive agility. If his 3-point shooting can become more consistent, he’ll have a role moving forward. At 20 years old, it’d be foolish to make any firm conclusions about him.
25 Austin Rivers
Guard | 29 | 6-4 | 200
If Hyland’s going to supplant someone in the rotation, it’s likely to be Rivers. That doesn’t mean Rivers will be glued to the bench. Injuries and droughts happen. Rivers will still contribute. By all accounts, Rivers has been an excellent teammate since arriving in Denver, which helped make the decision to re-sign him easier.
27 Jamal Murray
Guard | 24 | 6-3 | 215
Murray has participated in shooting drills with the team, and seems to be recovering well from his ACL injury. The team, however, is careful not to put any pressure or timeline on his return to action. In the meantime, Murray has reportedly bulked up in the weight room.
31 Vlatko Cancar
Forward | 24 | 6-8 | 236
If Cancar wanted, he could be playing high-level basketball in Europe. Instead, he’s determined to fight for NBA minutes. Coming off a successful stint alongside Luka Doncic with Slovenia at the Olympics, Cancar has good size and a good feel for the game. Whether he’ll ever be needed as a reserve big man is another question.
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Meet the 2021-22 Nuggets: A breakdown of the complete team roster - The Denver Post
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