Nothing is more valuable to an NBA franchise than a legitimate superstar, those sublime talents who can single-handedly transform and elevate an entire team’s identity. If a superstar isn’t available, the next most desirable commodity is a sparkling young prospect who’s flashed greatness, has no theoretical ceiling and may someday—if everything breaks right—become one.
Denver might have three such pieces: 25-year-old Nikola Jokiu0107, 23-year-old Jamal Murray and 22-year-old Michael Porter Jr. The Nuggets are +16.6 points per 100 possessions when all share the floor, piping hot on offense and passable solidity on the other side.
Jokiu0107 is the organization’s munificent sun, averaging 27.