Northwest Division 2022-23

Leafy, beefy.

DENVER NUGGETS

2021-22: 48-44, sixth in offense and 15th defensively, sixth in West, lost in first round to Golden State 1-4

Gains: DeAndre Jordan (one year, $2.9 million), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (trade, two-year $30 million extension), Ish Smith (trade), Bruce Brown (free agent, two years and $13.3 million), Christian Braun (No. 21 pick).

Losses: Austin Rivers (Minnesota), Monte Morris (trade, Washington), Will Barton (trade, Washington), JaMychal Green (trade, now with Warriors), Bryn Forbes (Minnesota).

LINEUP

C: Nikola Jokic — I don’t want to push him. He does this as a favor to us.
PF: Aaron Gordon — I often disagree with his approach but get used to him on your TV again.
SF: Michael Porter Jr. — concentrate on the scoring, the thing he does best. If MPJ is around in spring, beautiful, let’s not complicate things trying to make him Scottie Pippen on the nights he plays.
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — a reliable three-point shooter at the “shooting” position.