Denver Nuggets address early playoff exit and the types of changes to expect

On Thursday May 8, the Denver Nuggets held a press conference to address how the season ended and the philosophy behind the 2026 offseason. This press conference included Vice Chairman Josh Kroenke, head coach David Adelman, Vice President of Basketball Operations Ben Tenzer as well as Vice President of Player Personnel Jonathan Wallace. 

The bulk of the commentary came from Kroenke and Adelman, and they were not short on answers or the logic behind those answers. The good news for Nuggets fans is any changes are likely to be minor course corrections to improve depth and not sweeping changes that will impact the core of the team. 

A unified tone was frustration with how this season ended. However, fixing the issues that caused a first-round playoff exit will not be an emotional decision. They also have no intention of doing anything rash. One of the first questions centered around a comment Nikola Jokic made about winning. 

Kroenke echoed Jokic’ sentiment by saying winning is a lifestyle. “If you’re not eating, sleeping and breathing it on a daily basis, it can catch up with you. I agree with him. Winning is a lifestyle.”

Changes to the margins, not the core players

The salary cap tax implication and potential second apron did factor into the 2025 offseason moves that included moving pieces from the 2023 championship team. Done in an effort to improve future depth while minimizing that potential tax hit. They believed keeping the 2023 core as it was would not ‘move the needle’ for the improvements the team was looking for.

Regarding roster moves this offseason, Kroenke was adamant that everything is on the table. Including, but not limited to, “running it back”. He also identified complacency in a number of areas that will present challenges this offseason. Kroenke acknowledged the frustration in how the season ended. Even suggesting that he shares in that frustration and would not expect anything less from Nuggets fans.

“I don’t want to be masked in my frustration for how the season ended", Kroenke admitted. "I think that anybody who is a fan of the Denver Nuggets should be frustrated. And anything a fan feels, I probably feel it 1000x. So, everything has to be on the table. Except trading Nikola Jokic. I want to be clear because my words got twisted in an interesting way last summer. I think everything’s on the table outside of trading Nikola.”

The question of possibly trading 'Mr. Nugget' Aaron Gordon was asked, both the head coach and Vice Chairmen put that concern to rest. “I would say that anybody thinking that doesn’t know the rhythm of what goes on inside these walls sometimes” Kroenke explained. “Anybody saying that is coming from a place of emotion. I love Aaron Gordon and think the world of him, just like all of Nuggets Nation does. But there are some things we’re going to have to look at. The team looks a lot better when Gordon is healthy.”

Coach Adelman did not shy away from criticism. “For me as a leader, I have to hear other people’s criticism” Adelman said. “People I trust that know what goes on behind closed doors here. The players. Having those conversations, I think always makes you better.”

Coach Adelman identified concerns and reiterated strengths

According to Adelman, two areas of concern and possible offseason considerations will be improving ball handling at several positions and defensive rebounding.  Injured players meant others had to step up. Through certain stretches that meant running with a smaller a lineup and sacrificing defensive rebounding. Fixing those concerns will likely be more about offseason player development than adding outside players with a specific skill set.

Adelman spoke to the question of leadership. Claiming Jokic is a leader, but he’s going to lead his way. Sometimes it's emotional, sometimes it's by example and sometimes it's in film study. He also addressed Christian Braun’s recent viral comments about being disappointed in his own performance and owning responsibility as a team leader. 

“The way CB (Christian Braun) is in a locker room. I saw CB’s comments. Frustration with himself and that we lost. I love that. It’s hard to say this in public because you’ll get ripped regardless. CB is a leader. If you really want to look at it, you could say the leadership didn’t show up in the playoffs. Then tell me how we got through this season? How’d that group stay together?”

Ultimately most of the questions and answers today confirmed one basic idea. This team believes it is in a title window as long as Nikola Jokic is on the roster. A concept that is not likely to change any time soon. They seem to have very little interest in sweeping changes or major roster moves. Even the coaching staff’s performance throughout the season was viewed as a strength. Adelman did not seem to show any signs that changes among the coaching staff are needed or expected.

The key for success as early as the 2026-27 season is improving the margins but not making changes to the core group. With the intention of doing more to support the core that currently exists. While also preparing for a more flexible approach in the event any of the core players are sidelined. They believe it cannot be as simple as expecting Jokic and Gordon to play 82 games. Any changes this offseason should reflect improving the margins, not reshaping what core of the team looks like.

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