The Nuggets Are Winning, But the Frontcourt Depth Issue Isn’t Going Away
The Denver Nuggets are finally back in rhythm-at least, that’s what it felt like Monday night at Ball Arena. After a nomadic few weeks that saw them bouncing from city to city with barely enough time to unpack, Denver snapped a baffling home losing streak with an overtime win against a surging Houston Rockets squad. That win marked their fifth straight overall and, maybe more importantly, their first at home in over a month.
Let’s be clear: this team has been grinding. Since wrapping up a four-game homestand with a win over Indiana back on November 8, the Nuggets have essentially been living out of suitcases.
Even their so-called "home games" have felt like pit stops rather than true returns. And yet, despite the brutal travel schedule and a roster that’s been missing key pieces, they’ve managed to string together 10 straight road wins.
That’s not just impressive-it’s the kind of stretch that speaks to a team’s mental toughness.
But while the wins are piling up, so are the concerns-especially in the frontcourt.
Shorthanded and Still Fighting
Denver is still without starters Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, and their absence has been felt most on the defensive end. Without Gordon, the Nuggets’ interior defense has taken a hit.
Monday night’s game was a case study in just how thin things have gotten. Both Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas fouled out, leaving two-way player Spencer Jones to play center in crunch time.
That’s not exactly the long-term solution you want when you’re trying to repeat as NBA champions.
Yes, they pulled out the win. But let’s not kid ourselves-that’s not a sustainable formula.
The coaching staff’s reluctance to turn to Zeke Nnaji in those final moments said a lot. If you can’t trust your 6’9” big man to grab a key rebound in a tight game, it’s fair to ask what role he’s really playing on this roster. And if the answer is “not much,” then why is he still here?
Well, the short answer is money. Nnaji’s contract-north of $7 million a year for the next two seasons-makes him a financial commitment.
And to be fair, he’s had flashes over the past two years. Just not enough of them to matter when it counts.
Valanciunas’ Emergence-and the Need for More
On the flip side, Jonas Valanciunas has been a revelation. He’s brought a physical presence and veteran savvy that’s helped stabilize the Nuggets during this stretch.
His ability to complement Jokic, especially in spurts where they share the floor, has opened up new possibilities for Denver’s rotations. Monday night’s win showed that head coach David Adelman is willing to experiment with that pairing-and it worked.
But it also underscored the need for a third legitimate big man. One who can give you reliable minutes when Jokic or Valanciunas are off the floor-or when foul trouble strikes.
What About DaRon Holmes?
There was some hope that DaRon Holmes, last year’s first-round pick, could be that guy. But after missing his entire rookie season due to injury, he’s still a mystery.
And based on what little we’ve seen, Holmes doesn’t project as a traditional interior presence. He’s more of a tall wing than a true post player-think Peyton Watson without the bounce.
Could he develop into something more? Maybe.
But the question Denver has to ask itself is this: **Can DaRon Holmes help this team win another title in the next three to five years? ** Right now, the answer doesn’t look promising.
And that’s the thing-this is Jokic’s prime. The window is open, and the Nuggets can’t afford to wait on potential. If Holmes can be flipped for a veteran big who can contribute now, that’s a move worth exploring.
Trade Possibilities That Make Sense
A name like Mason Plumlee comes to mind immediately. He’s a known quantity, a competent backup center with playoff experience, and he wouldn’t break the bank. His current contract lines up closely with Holmes’, which would make the cap math a lot easier.
If Denver wants to get more aggressive, they could package Holmes with Nnaji and his sizable contract and look for a bigger return. A deal with Brooklyn for Day’Ron Sharpe and Nolan Traore could make sense.
Sharpe brings size and rebounding, and Traore adds another guard to the mix. Brooklyn might bite, especially if they see Holmes as a low-cost upside play and believe Nnaji just needs a change of scenery.
Planning for the Long Haul
The Nuggets are winning games, but they’re doing it with a roster stretched to its limits. Gordon’s eventual return will help, no doubt. But it would be naive to assume he’ll be 100% the rest of the season-hamstring injuries, like the one he dealt with late last year, have a way of lingering.
The smart move is to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. That means reinforcing the frontcourt now, not later. Because when the playoffs roll around, depth isn’t a luxury-it’s a necessity.
Denver’s core is championship-caliber. Jokic is still playing at an MVP level.
Jamal Murray is healthy and locked in. The supporting cast, for all its current limitations, has shown grit and resilience.
But if the Nuggets want to make another deep run, they’ll need more muscle down low. The wins are nice.
The fight is admirable. But the frontcourt depth?
That’s the one piece of the puzzle still missing.