Wind: Why the Nuggets could be thinking big next summer

The NBA is and always will be a star-driven league. It’s what makes nearly every night during the regular season must-see TV. James Harden might erupt for a 60-point triple-double on a random January evening. Nikola Jokic could record the fastest triple-double in league history on a quiet Thursday night in Milwaukee. Steve Kerr just might let his four All-Stars coach the Warriors for him.

Stars also make the offseason a 24/7 reality television show loaded with dynamic personalities who can shift the media narrative and conversation with one tweet, Instagram comment or even by their getup. From the draft and Kawhi Leonard’s trade demands to free agency and a 36-word press release to Summer League, where a LeBron James courtside appearance becomes the week’s biggest moment, the league’s stars drive their teams to the top and the league itself.

Jokic cemented himself as one of those stars last season. The Serbian center was one of just three big men in league history (Kevin Garnett and Wilt Chamberlain) to average at least 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. He finished the year with fifth-best Real Plus-Minus in the league.

Over the season’s final month and a half, Jokic put the Nuggets on his back and averaged 24.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists as as Denver worked its way back into playoff contention. His pocketbook now reflects his value on the court too.

Next summer, the Nuggets could slot another star alongside him.

As free agency opened at midnight on July 1, the Nuggets conducted their business quickly by re-signing Jokic and Will Barton. A few weeks later, Torrey Craig and Denver agreed to a two-year, $4 million deal. Craig turned down more money to stay with the Nuggets and re-up with the franchise that took a gamble and signed him to a two-way deal after he played the 2016-17 season in Australia, a league source told BSN Denver.

Denver doled out over $200 million knowing it could make an even bigger splash next summer. The Nuggets can create max-level cap space just in time for few heavy hitters to hit the free agent market next year  — a class that could be headlined by Leonard, Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler, all of whom are sure to be high on Denver’s and any team’s wish list. Other notable names that might be in for big paydays next summer include DeMarcus Cousins, Marc Gasol, Al Horford, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, DeAndre Jordan and Klay Thompson.

Add Leonard, Durant or Butler to a core that includes Murray, Harris and Jokic, and the Nuggets ceiling rises exponentially, whether or not they can get any significant production on the court from first-round pick Michael Porter Jr. next season.

Still, the Nuggets first need to raise their organizational clout before they land one of those names. With their top seven players back from last year’s 46-win team that fell one game short of a playoff appearance, Denver can do just that this coming year. The Nuggets will enter next season with expectations that the franchise hasn’t seen since president of basketball operations Tim Connelly came into power in 2013. A postseason appearance would be a necessary step if the Nuggets want a seat at the table with one of those top free agents.

That’s no easy task considering many of the West’s non-playoff teams got better this summer. The Lakers can be penciled into one of the conference’s playoff spots with James. The Grizzlies, who bottomed out last season and landed Jaren Jackson Jr., will bring back a healthy Mike Conley and Marc Gasol with their sights set on getting back to the playoffs.

The Mavericks and Suns aren’t postseason contenders, but they won’t be tanking to the extent they did a year ago. The Clippers, who finished four games worse than the Nuggets last season, boast a playoff-caliber roster that runs 11 or 12-deep. The fringe-playoff teams that finish the season with the cleanest bills of health, which the Nuggets weren’t afforded last year, will likely win out.

The Nuggets rightfully awarded nearly $200 million in guaranteed money to bring back Jokic and Barton. They could be in line to make another splash next summer, one that’s more high-profile than re-signing Jokic and Barton, and puts the franchise on a new and heightened course.