Denver’s preseason twist features Jokic at power forward paired with Jonas Valanciunas in a two‑big look. The early sample was rocky—five possessions, four points, 80 offensive rating—but Adelman stresses it’s a Band‑Aid moment to test spacing and timing. The experiment leans on high‑low action, with Watson, Braun and Strawther providing length and drive to mix with the bigs.

Defensively, Adelman explores a zone with both centers at the bottom, aiming to angle rotations and protect against interior mismatches. The plan mirrors Houston’s Sengun–Adams template but remains a work in progress as Denver dials in how to space and execute with this unconventional frontline.

9-cat fantasy hoops prizes efficiency: target mid-to-late round studs who lift FG%, FT%, and keep turnovers low. Key names include Desmond Bane, Cam Johnson, and Cameron Braun, with veterans like Jimmy Butler and DeMar DeRozan anchoring efficiency while Jokic pulls the Denver engine. Build around shooting percentages, minimize TO, and leverage Jokic-factor spacers to win weekly in your drafts.

Denver outlasted Toronto 112-108 in the Canada Series, snapping the Raptors’ Rogers Arena streak. Christian Braun erupted for 19 off the Nuggets’ bench, while Jokic and Murray each poured in 17 as Denver shot 56.7% from the floor. Toronto’s duo of RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram also finished with 19 apiece, and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 15, but the Raptors connected at just 41.2% and 23.8% from three. The Nuggets controlled the glass (48-38) and paint (58-46) despite 31 turnovers to Toronto’s 11.

With Nuggets rotation depth on display, fantasy managers should note Braun’s scoring punch off the second unit and Denver’s willingness to push pace with Jokic off the floor. Toronto’s mix of Barrett, Ingram, and Mamukelashvili showed depth, but their shooting slumps and turnover-heavy night could temper early-season projections. Next up: Nuggets at Clippers; Raptors at Kings.

Denver’s title plan centers on Jokic, but the front office is weighing a five-year, roughly $140 million extension for Christian Braun after a breakout season to keep the core intact amid a high-salary roster.

Braun posted 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals on a blistering 66.5% true shooting, with 38.4% from three, highlighting his rise as a two-way contributor. The discussion sits alongside Dyson Daniels’ defensive profile and cap dynamics illustrated by Seth Curry’s Warriors shift, signaling how Denver threads extension value with market realities.