Josh Kroenke Still Backs Adelman, But Denver's Roster Could Look Completely Different Next Season

The Denver Nuggets' president and governor just threw the door wide open to a major overhaul. Josh Kroenke stood in front of the cameras at Ball Arena on Friday and said he's got full faith in coach David Adelman, but then basically signaled that almost everyone else on the roster is available. That's a wild message to send after a brutal first-round exit.

The Injury Storm That Derailed Everything

Look, the Nuggets finished third in the West at 54-38 with a 12-game winning streak heading into the playoffs. They had the pieces. Then the Timberwolves, the sixth seed, knocked them out in six games and showed more toughness down the stretch. The injury list was absolutely brutal. Aaron Gordon was out for most of that series with a calf issue. Peyton Watson missed all six games. And this wasn't new, either. The whole season was a nightmare when it came to staying healthy. Count up all the missed games across the entire roster in the regular season and playoffs, and Nuggets players were sidelined for 245 combined games. That's not a lineup problem. That's a health crisis.

The Superstar Stays Put, But Everyone Else Is on the Table

Here's where it gets interesting. Kroenke said he liked the makeup of the team heading in and wouldn't rule out running most of it back. But then he also made it crystal clear that he'd trade pretty much anyone on the roster other than Nikola Jokic if it means taking another run at a championship while the three-time MVP is still in his prime. Jamal Murray, the other All-Star, would bring in the most assets if Denver decides to go that direction. As for Jokic himself, he's eligible to sign a four-year maximum extension this summer that could be worth up to 290 million dollars, and he's indicated he's going to take it. Denver's got the money and the motivation. The question now is what the front office does with the rest of the roster.

The Nuggets have some serious thinking to do this offseason. The talent is there when everyone's healthy. But are they ready to bet on staying intact, or is a shake-up coming to Denver?

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.