Tired physically and mentally from defending their title, the Nuggets failed to do the double, falling to the Wolves in the conference semifinals. But with triple MVP Nikola Jokic, then Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and company, Denver knows that his group still has the weapons to return to the top.
“I think we have the necessary elements to win again next season”, estimates the GM of the franchiseCalvin Booth. “If we don't give ourselves a chance to win, the summer of 2025 will be complicated. This summer is also difficult, but I have the feeling that we will be in a similar position next year. »
If the manager takes this bet for 2025, it is because Jamal Murray will be free, as well as possibly Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. That’s three holders. The strong winger will have an optional year to activate or not for the 2025/26 season, when the fullback has this choice to make this summer.
Win the title, then keep an eye on the scores
KCP has a $15.4 million option. If he activates (or if he extends), the Nuggets' finances will be even more in the red. The risk is this famous “second apron”, which punishes teams who spend too much. Are the 2023 champions ready for this?
“We spend a lot of time looking at the history of the second apron and those things. Personally, I think first of winning the title”, assures Calvin Booth. “Then we have to look at the finances. Finally, there is the second apron. I know it's intimidating, but I don't think it's our priority. KCP has been an excellent signing the last two years and we would like him to stay. We'll have to see what that looks like. »
So there is the Kentavious Caldwell-Pope file, but also Reggie Jackson, who also has an option ($5.2 million) for this offseason. If the two remain activating their last year of contract, with 190 million dollars committed to their payroll (the luxury tax is 172 million…), the “second apron” is certain. If KCP leaves, they will have a little wiggle room to recruit.
Then, in 2025, it will be necessary – if he activated his last year – to deal again with “KCP”, but above all to extend Jamal Murray and surely Aaron Gordon. And there, important choices and sacrifices, on one side or the other, will necessarily have to be made if the Nuggets want to keep this group intact.
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2013-14 | DET | 80 | 20 | 39.6 | 31.9 | 77.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 5.9 |
| 2014-15 | DET | 82 | 32 | 40.1 | 34.5 | 69.6 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 12.7 |
| 2015-16 | DET | 76 | 37 | 42.0 | 30.9 | 81.1 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 14.5 |
| 2016-17 | DET | 76 | 33 | 39.9 | 35.0 | 83.2 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 13.8 |
| 2017-18 | LAL | 74 | 33 | 42.6 | 38.3 | 78.9 | 0.8 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 13.4 |
| 2018-19 | LAL | 82 | 25 | 43.0 | 34.7 | 86.7 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 11.4 |
| 2019-20 | LAL | 69 | 26 | 46.7 | 38.5 | 77.5 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 9.4 |
| 2020-21 | LAL | 67 | 28 | 43.1 | 41.0 | 86.6 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 9.8 |
| 2021-22 | W.A.S. | 77 | 30 | 43.5 | 39.0 | 89.0 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 13.2 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 76 | 31 | 46.2 | 42.3 | 82.4 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 10.8 |
| 2023-24 | DEN | 76 | 32 | 46.0 | 40.6 | 89.4 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 10.1 |
| Total | 835 | 30 | 42.7 | 36.9 | 81.9 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 11.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
