Previewing the Denver Nuggets heading into the 2020-21 NBA season

The 2020-21 NBA season is a few weeks away and training camp is underway and the Denver Nuggets are gearing up for another title run after falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Jamal Murry and Nikola Jokic played like stars capable of carrying a franchise in last season’s playoffs, but the emergence of Michael Porter Jr. and the arrival of new role players could help set Denver over the top.

Here we’re going to take a look at the Nuggets’ offseason, plus look ahead to the 2020-21 season.

2020 offseason

Key additions

R.J. Hampton, SG (draft)
Zeke Nnanji, PF (draft)
Facundo Campazzo, PG/SG (signed from Europe)
JaMychal Green, PF/C (free agency)

Key losses

Jerami Grant, PF (free agency)
Torrey Craig, SF (free agency)

2020-21 odds

Title odds: +2200
Win percentage: O/U 60.5
Nikola Jokic MVP odds: +2000
Jamal Murray MVP odds: +8000
Jamal Murray MIP odds: +1100

2020-21 roster

Depth Chart

PG: Jamal Murray, Monte Morris, P.J. Dozier
SG: Gary Harris, Facundo Campazzo, R.J. Hampton
SF: Michael Porter Jr., Will Barton, Vlatko Cancar
PF: Paul Millsap, JaMychal Green, Bol Bol
C: Nikola Jokic, Paul Millsap, JaMychal Green

Roster battles

Backup SG: Facundo Campazzo vs. R.J. Hampton
6th man: Will Barton vs. Facundo Campazzo

Fantasy basketball

Best Sleeper

Facundo Campazzo — Campazzo is a battle-tested EuroLeague champion who is ready to contribute in the NBA immediately. The 29-year-old Argentinian didn’t post amazing numbers while with Real Madrid but won MVP of the Spanish League Finals in 2019 and has thrived as one of Europe’s best playmakers for years. Hampton will have to adjust to moving from the NBL to the best league in the world, so Campazzo could get loads of backup minutes at point guard and shooting guard early on.

Likely Bust

Paul Millsap — Millsap signed a team-friendly deal that will pay him $10 million for the 2020-21 season and is clearly on the decline. I think Denver is getting ahead of things by bringing in a high-energy big in Green who can play spot minutes at power forward and center this year. Bol Bol will also be in the mix now that his two-way contract has been converted into an NBA deal. Millsap could see his minutes per game drop below 24 for the first time sine 2007.