The Denver Nuggets have been a force in the NBA over the last five years, managing to compete and win the ultimate prize. That too, after coming on top in the competitive West. which is more stacked than ever in the 2025-26 season. But there is optimism in the Mile High City camp, according to Aaron Gordon.
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The Nuggets’ core is Championship caliber. Nikola Jokic, Gordon, and Jamal Murray were the key pieces behind the Nuggets’ 2023 NBA title run. However, Michael Porter Jr., who was also part of that core, was traded to the Brooklyn Nets this offseason.
In exchange for the 27-year-old, Denver acquired Cam Johnson. And then there is the addition that has Gordon all excited.
The return of Bruce Brown, the most impactful role players for the Nuggets in the 2022-23 season. He often relieved pressure from the team’s stars when they were off the floor. It is something Denver has missed dearly since then.
With Brown back on the roster, Gordon has issued a warning to rivals all across the league. “Brucey B is back. Uh-oh. Might be problems for y’all, Brucey B is back,” he stated during an interview on his birthday with ESPN.
Gordon is eager to see Brown’s defensive work, versatility, and timely scoring back in the mix. There were moments when Brown’s offense pushed the Nuggets over the finish line.
Take Game 4 of the 2023 Finals, for instance. Brown dropped 21 points against the Miami Heat in that game, with 11 of them coming in crunch time.
Gordon is also excited about Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, and Tim Hardaway Jr. being added to the mix. “That’s a squad, especially with Big Val too. Big Val is gonna hold that down. That’s a boy. We got a squad,” he continued.
Johnson provides Denver with steady floor spacing and reliable shooting, making life easier for Jokic and Murray. He will take over the role Porter Jr. once served, but with greater efficiency from beyond the arc.
Hardaway Jr., meanwhile, brings instant scoring and a touch of shot creation, giving the Nuggets another option in crunch time. Hardaway Jr. and Johnson boost Denver’s perimeter firepower, making the offense even harder to guard.
Gordon is feeling “better than ever”
Of course, the Nuggets still have Jokic, arguably the best player in the league at the moment. His MVP-caliber performances over the last five years have rarely been questioned, and he has hardly taken a step back.
With a strong supporting cast around him, he is always a title favorite. This season, the three-time MVP seems to have a motivated group alongside him.
Gordon, for instance, finally feels like his body and mind are syncing up. “I feel like I’m the best I’ve ever been at basketball, and I feel like we’re gonna see another champion,” he stated during a recent ad campaign.
That is coming from a guy who was sharp in the playoffs, hitting game-winning shots against the Clippers and the Thunder earlier this year. If he stays healthy and plays even half as well as he did in that stretch, Denver could very well grab another ring.
The only problem is how competitive the West has become. Along with the Thunder, the Nuggets will have to battle a rebuilt Lakers squad, a hungry Timberwolves team, and a Rockets side led by Kevin Durant. And then there are the Warriors, who will never go away as long as Steph Curry is running the show.
The 2025-26 season should be a thrilling one in the NBA. And the Nuggets sit right at the top of the list of teams to watch.
