Aaron Gordon’s rough opening stretch has reached the point where the Nuggets may need to rethink his workload.
Through Denver’s first 10 games, Gordon hasn’t looked like the steady force fans are used to seeing. He’s still the player everybody loves - “Mr.
Nugget,” the glue guy - but the offense has been a problem. His shot has been off enough that he’s starting to hurt the team on that end, and a lighter load might be the quickest way to help him find his rhythm again.
That issue showed up again in Denver’s 123-118 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, when Gordon finished 3-for-11 from the field for 9 points. That was slightly better than the game before against the Houston Rockets, when he managed just 3 points on 1-for-7 shooting. From deep, he’s sitting at 25.6% on the season, a drop from 38.9% last year and 43.6% in 2024-25.
The bigger concern is how he’s getting those looks. Gordon has forced some step-backs he probably shouldn’t have taken, and he hasn’t been creating separation quickly enough when the offense needs him to. Right now, he can’t be counted on as the Nuggets’ third option until the shot starts coming back.
That’s why Trevon Brazile deserves a bigger slice of the rotation.
This isn’t about benching Gordon. It’s about trimming his minutes and leaning harder on Brazile, who has already been the first big off the bench multiple times over the last few games. A split closer to 28 minutes for Brazile and 18 for Gordon would keep the starting five intact while giving Denver a different look.
Brazile has given the Nuggets enough to justify it. He’s comfortable in the dunker spot, stays ready as a lob threat, and is shooting 76.9% from two. On the glass, he’s been strong too, averaging 10.3 rebounds per 36 minutes, and his defense has stood out.
The outside shot is still a work in progress - he’s at 33.3% from three - but that’s still better than Gordon’s mark. And because Brazile is willing to let it fly, there’s reason to believe the spacing can improve if a few more start dropping. Teams are already treating the 6-foot-10 rookie like a non-shooter on the perimeter, but he doesn’t hesitate, and that confidence should eventually pay off.
He’s also the kind of athlete who can cover for Gordon in a way most players can’t.
There’s another layer here, too: rest. Giving Gordon fewer minutes now could help cut down on the wear and tear later in the season. Denver is already walking a fine line with Jamal Murray’s workload, even if the team has little choice because of how well he’s playing.
What head coach David Adelman decides to do remains to be seen. But the Nuggets need Gordon to rediscover his groove soon.
In Other News...
Nuggets Already Face An Early Concern Beyond Their 5-4 Start
The early-season bumps have not been limited to the standings for Denver, which has already had to navigate a 5-4 start along with the kind of logistical headache that can throw off a road trip. After the team dealt with travel difficulties in Mexico City, assistant coach David Adelman reached out to the Nuggets core players as the group prepared to head into Houston, a reminder that the grind of an NBA season can test more than just execution on the floor.
What followed showed how much the Nuggets were trying to balance caution with competitiveness, even before the game tipped. The team ultimately decided to play in Houston, but the situation underscored an early concern for Denver: staying physically and mentally sharp enough to handle the demands of a season that is already asking plenty from a roster still trying to settle in. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets Showed Something Important In Memphis That Fans Needed To See
The Nuggets left Memphis with a win that felt bigger than a routine road result, because it came with the kind of poise and shot-making they have been searching for. Denver controlled the game for long stretches and held off a Grizzlies push in the third quarter, then leaned on Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic to steady things when the pressure tightened.
Murray kept the offense moving even while dealing with foul trouble, and Jokic once again filled every part of the box score as the Nuggets closed out a 123-118 victory. For a team trying to show it can still impose its will away from home, this was the sort of response that matters, even if the larger question is whether they can keep bringing that edge game after game. [Read more 🡒]
Jokics Slump Is Raising A Bigger Nuggets Concern
Nikola Jokic has still been doing plenty of the little things that help Denver win, especially on the defensive end, where his activity has stood out this season. The Nuggets have benefited from his presence in a stronger team defensive setup, and his willingness to get involved more often on that side of the floor has been one of the quieter positives in an otherwise uneven stretch.
The bigger concern is what has happened when the ball is in his hands at the other end. Jokics shooting has dipped from his usual standard, and Denvers offense has not looked as sharp with him on the floor as it has in past seasons. Whether it is a conditioning issue or something physical lingering in the background, the Nuggets are left watching a version of their centerpiece that is still impacting games, just not in the same dominant way they are used to seeing. [Read more 🡒]