The Denver Nuggets didn’t land the biggest star this summer, although they are a clear winner of the 2025 NBA offseason.
Denver added Cameron Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr. to space the floor, Jonas Valančiūnas to back up Nikola Jokic, and Bruce Brown returns after two seasons playing elsewhere to provide just a little bit of everything.
Brown was a key player during Denver’s 2023 title run, and even with the Houston Rockets adding Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s young core continuing to improve, the Nuggets are right up there as frontrunners in the Western Conference.
After adding more than their fair share of starpower, Aaron Gordon thinks Denver will pose “problems” for the rest of the NBA.
GettyDENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 02: Nikola Jokic #15 and Aaron Gordon #32 of the Denver Nuggets celebrate a shot in the second half against the Utah Jazz at Ball Arena on November 2, 2024, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Aaron Gordon Praises Two Major Moves
Cameron Johnson, who shot 39.0% from deep last season and averaged a career-high 18.8 points, is by far the biggest addition the Nuggets made this summer, and he will be backed up by sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr., who played a major role in the Detroit Pistons’ resurgence last season.
However, it’s Bruce Brown, the seven-year veteran who has averaged double-digits only twice in his career, who has Gordon excited about next season.
“Might be problems for y’all,” he warned while appearing on ESPN. “‘Brucey B’ is back! That’s the squad. That’s the squad. Especially with Big Val, too. Big Val’s going to hold that down.”
Last season, Jokic averaged 36.7 minutes per game and was backed up by 36-year-old DeAndre Jordan. Heading into next season, with Valančiūnas coming off the bench, Denver should have no problem with frontcourt depth, allowing Jokic to stay fresh for longer.
Of course, the Nuggets‘ success starts and ends with Jokic, and even with the addition of Valančiūnas, Brown, Johnson, and Hardaway Jr., Gordon is most excited to share the court with his GOAT.
Nikola Jokic Named Best of All Time By Aaron Gordon
With three MVPs already to his name, Jokic is one of the best players to ever grace the court, and he is only 30 years old, entering his 11th season as the betting favorite to win his fourth Michael Jordan trophy.
Regardless of the supporting cast around him, the Nuggets are title contenders as long as Jokic remains elite and healthy, and the Denver front office has finally surrounded him with quality talent.
A starting five of Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Johnson, Gordon, and Jokic, with Brown, Valančiūnas, Hardaway Jr., and Peyton Watson coming off the bench, should be enough for the Thunder to be nervous.
“He’s just amazing,” raved Gordon of Jokic. “It is an experience to get to play around one of the best players, if not the best player of all time.”
While most would put Jokic a fair distance away from Jordan and LeBron James in GOAT talks, his teammates are quick to credit him with any successes they have, and by the time Jokic decides to wrap up his career, he should be one of the best ever, especially if Denver’s busy summer pays off.
Aaron Gordon Reveals ‘Problems’ for NBA After Busy Denver Nuggets Offseason