A Deep Dive Into the Denver Nuggets 2025-26 Roster: Championship Core Intact With New Faces Ready to Make Noise

The Denver Nuggets enter the 2025-26 NBA season with a roster that combines proven championship pedigree, rising youth, and strategic depth. After a run of elite play that has made them one of the league’s most respected franchises, Denver remains laser-focused on contending for another title. The roster, while undergoing slight retooling in the offseason, still centers around the two-headed leadership of Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray—an all-time great duo whose chemistry, experience, and high basketball IQ continue to be the foundation for everything this team builds on.

Jokić, now firmly in his prime and widely considered one of the best players in the league, is the engine that powers the Nuggets. His ability to dictate pace, see the entire floor like a point guard, and score from anywhere makes him one of the most unique big men in NBA history. He remains unselfish to a fault but steps up as a scorer when the moment demands it. Coming off another MVP-caliber season, Jokić returns as the cornerstone—both physically and philosophically—of the Nuggets’ attack.

Jamal Murray, coming off the best season of his career, returns as the perfect complement. His ability to create in the clutch, run two-man actions with Jokić, and defend at a high level makes him irreplaceable. After years of injuries and near-misses, Murray has grown into the kind of battle-tested floor general every championship team needs. His leadership continues to blossom, and his bond with Jokić remains one of the most effective duos in the modern NBA.

Michael Porter Jr. is back as the third pillar. After another offseason focused on strengthening his back and improving his handle, MPJ looks poised to continue evolving. While health remains a long-term concern, there’s no denying his talent. A true 6’10” sniper with a quick release and gravity-pulling range, he spaces the floor in a way few wings can. His defense and decision-making have also improved under coach Michael Malone’s watchful eye, making him less of a liability and more of a reliable two-way option.

Aaron Gordon returns as the Swiss Army knife. Arguably the most versatile defender on the roster, Gordon is capable of guarding 1 through 4, while also chipping in 12–15 points a game on high-efficiency cuts, post-ups, and transition finishes. His chemistry with Jokić has blossomed, with backdoor cuts and lobs becoming automatic points. In big games, Gordon’s strength, athleticism, and low-maintenance game allow stars around him to thrive.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope once again holds down the off-ball guard role. A consistent three-point shooter, elite perimeter defender, and playoff-tested veteran, KCP’s presence gives the Nuggets one of the most balanced starting fives in basketball. He rarely forces shots, always makes the right rotations, and hits timely shots. At 32, he’s not flashy, but he remains a key piece of Denver’s system.

Beyond the core five, the Nuggets have assembled a rotation full of young players looking to take the next step and veterans ready to contribute in key spots. Christian Braun returns as one of the most promising young two-way wings in the league. Fresh off a breakout playoff run, Braun’s intensity, defensive effort, and rapidly improving shot-making have earned him a larger role. He’s expected to anchor the second unit while closing some games depending on matchups.

Rookie Julian Strawther continues to develop as a wing sniper with size. After showing flashes during his first two seasons, Strawther is now in a position to compete for consistent minutes, especially if he can maintain defensive discipline and continue shooting above 38% from deep. His ability to stretch the floor from the corners and run with pace fits Denver’s bench unit identity perfectly.

Veteran big man Zeke Nnaji returns as a depth option behind Jokić. While undersized at true center, Nnaji brings mobility, switchability, and hustle. His minutes fluctuate based on opponent size and scheme, but he remains a reliable energy big who can give solid bench minutes. More importantly, he knows the system and brings continuity in the frontcourt when the starters rest.

The addition of rookie guard Darnell Rivers, Denver’s 2025 first-round pick, has generated excitement. A dynamic combo guard with elite burst, Rivers impressed in Summer League with his ability to pressure the rim and defend full court. While still raw in terms of decision-making, he brings an edge and athleticism to the bench that the Nuggets have lacked in past years. Don’t be surprised if Rivers earns minutes quickly, especially if injuries hit the backcourt.

Reggie Jackson, the veteran floor general, returns on a team-friendly deal. His experience and ability to stabilize the offense in short spurts give the Nuggets a fallback option behind Murray. Jackson isn’t expected to play heavy minutes, but in games where composure and shot creation are needed off the bench, he remains valuable.

Peyton Watson, entering his third season, is still viewed as a developmental prospect with elite upside. His length, quick-twitch defensive instincts, and ability to guard multiple positions make him a tantalizing wing. If his shot ever becomes consistent, Watson could easily become a rotation mainstay or even a starter down the line. The Nuggets’ staff continues to invest in his growth, and this could be a pivotal year.

New free-agent addition Seth Curry offers veteran shooting and spacing. Signed on a low-risk deal, Curry provides one elite NBA skill—spot-up shooting—which Denver’s second unit can always use. He may not be a lockdown defender, but in short bursts or high-leverage offensive possessions, Curry gives the Nuggets another floor-spacer with postseason experience.

The backup frontcourt rotation rounds out with two-way big Jay Huff and athletic big man DaRon Holmes II, who was selected in the second round of the 2024 draft. Huff brings size and rim protection as an insurance policy in case of injury. Holmes, meanwhile, is being groomed slowly but has intriguing upside as a rim runner and weak-side shot blocker.

On two-way contracts, Denver has invested in developmental players like Marcus Sasser, a gritty defensive guard who starred in college, and Anthony Walker, a high-flying forward with a raw but exciting skill set. These players may not see major minutes, but they add practice intensity and injury depth—key components for any team with championship goals.

Head coach Michael Malone returns to lead this group, fresh off being extended by the front office. His reputation as a defensive-minded, detail-obsessed coach is fully cemented, but he’s also shown flexibility over time—letting Jokić and Murray dictate the offense more freely, trusting young players like Braun, and staying level-headed in pressure situations. His voice continues to resonate throughout the locker room, and his firm-yet-respected leadership remains one of Denver’s most valuable assets.

Team chemistry, a huge part of Denver’s rise, remains a focus in 2025-26. The locker room is tight, egos are checked at the door, and the stars lead by example. Jokić isn’t loud, but his work ethic and team-first mentality set the tone. Murray is more vocal, often pushing younger players in film sessions and on the floor. The veterans like Gordon and KCP keep things light but focused. It’s a winning culture—something you can feel as much as you see.

The front office, led by Calvin Booth, has remained consistent in its vision: draft smart, develop in-house, and only make moves that support the core. That discipline has paid off. Denver doesn’t make flashy trades or chase every free agent rumor. Instead, they’ve built a sustainable model—led by stars, filled out with versatile, hungry role players, and supported by an elite developmental staff.

As the season approaches, expectations are sky high. The Nuggets are no longer the underdog or the dark horse—they’re the hunted. Every team on the schedule wants a shot at the champs, and maintaining hunger and health will be key. But with a roster this balanced, a system this refined, and stars this connected, it’s hard to bet against Denver.

The 2025-26 roster reflects everything the Nuggets have become: a blueprint for building a champion the right way. Smart, tough, selfless, and unified. They’re not chasing headlines—they’re chasing banners. And with the team they’ve assembled, another deep playoff run isn’t just possible. It’s expected.