"We have to capitalize": Michael Malone sends a message as Denver's offseason begins

It took Michael Malone two minutes into his season-closing press conference Wednesday at Ball Arena to set the tone and narrative for what’s set to be a pivotal offseason in Denver. He also sent a message to the entire organization about what’s at stake this summer.

“We have a window, and I think windows are only open for so long,” Malone said. “We have a 27-year-old phenom who will hopefully soon be named back-to-back MVP. We have to capitalize while we have a special player like Nikola and do everything that we can as an organization, and I know we will, to put the best players around him to give ourselves the best chance to win a world championship.”

It was as pointed as I can remember Malone being at an exit interview or when speaking about the state of his team. But his message was definitely received, by everyone in attendance and I’m sure by the Nuggets’ front office. General manager Calvin Booth, who spoke around 25 minutes later, listened to Malone’s comments on Wednesday through the door that leads into Denver’s press lounge.

It’s a firm stance from Malone but absolutely a correct one. Five months from now, the Nuggets will enter a season with championship-or-bust expectations for the first time in the Jokic era. And Denver’s returning players, the Nuggets’ front office, coaching staff, and everyone within the organization has to flip the switch and lock-in. Every trade, free agent signing, practice, drill, and team meeting has to be done with the intention of moving the Nuggets one step closer to a championship next season. All of Denver’s energy has to be devoted to that absolute goal. That’s the message Malone was trying to send.

“That is what motivates Stan and Josh Kroenke. That is what motivates Tim Connelly and Calvin Booth,” said Malone. “That is what motivates me, is finding a way to put the best team together next season moving forward to try and win a championship.”

The first sign of how much the Nuggets’ front office shares Malone’s win-at-all-costs view for this upcoming season will be the moves Connelly and his front office make this summer. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. will both rejoin the starting lineup on opening night next year, but there’s uncertainty when it comes to what role players will surround Denver’s three max-contract cornerstones and Aaron Gordon. Will Barton, Monte Morris, Bones Hyland, Jeff Green, JaMychal Green and Zeke Nnaji are all under contract for next season.

“It’s hard to see us coming back with the exact same roster,” Booth said. “I think there will be some movement.”

It’s no secret that the Nuggets need defense. Denver’s defense in the playoffs was the worst in the postseason. During the regular season, the Nuggets’ defense ranked 15th. It was good but not good enough. Denver allowed opponents to shoot 73.5% at the rim, which was the worst mark in the league, and finished 29th in blocks per game. The Nuggets’ inability to guard the ball on the perimeter led to way too many straight-line drives to the basket.

“To be a dangerous, deep playoff team, you have to have an elite defense,” Malone said.

A high-level wing defender has to be priority No. 1 for Denver this summer. Someone between 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-9 to be specific. The Nuggets have one of those guys in Aaron Gordon, but Denver needs another impact defender on its roster that’s taller than Austin Rivers, who’s a free agent but someone Denver has interest in re-signing. Rivers gave the Nuggets great minutes over the second half of the season and proved again in the playoffs that he can be relied upon on the defensive end of the floor.

I haven’t gotten the sense that Denver is as interested in bringing DeMarcus Cousins back based on Malone, Connelly and Booth’s comments over the last week. Here’s my read on the situation: Cousins absolutely saved the Nuggets’ bench this season. Denver’s second unit went from arguably the worst in the league to a quality group by adding Cousins to the lineup. But are the Nuggets sold that Cousins can stay healthy for the entire year and be available to spell Jokic throughout an 82-game regular season? I wouldn’t give Cousins more than a one-year guaranteed contract and he should look to cash in this summer if he can. Maybe Denver won’t be able to afford Cousins anyway.

Also, Cousins’ scoring — just one week ago his 19 points in Game 5 vs. the Warriors were the second-most of any Nuggets player — might not be needed as much next season with Murray and Porter returning.

The Nuggets have a lot of decisions to make this offseason and not a ton of money to spend. Denver will be forced to get creative. What moves the Nuggets land on will tell us just how desperate they are to win a championship next season.

“What’s the best avenue for building our best team? I think it all starts in Nikola,” said Malone. “We have to make sure we’re surrounding him with players and pieces that bring out the best in him.”