Denver remains a perennial 50-win contender as the Nuggets head into 2025-26 with a coaching transition under David Adelman and a sharpened roster. Bleacher Report’s preview pins Denver at 54-28, four wins better than 2024-25, a mark that would tie for the franchise’s fourth-most all-time. Nikola Jokic stands as the anchor, with Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon in position to push the offense, while the return of Bruce Brown and the addition of Tim Hardaway Jr. strengthen the wing and secondary scoring. In the frontcourt, Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas join a core that already includes Christian Braun, DaRon Holmes II, and Julian Strawther, giving Denver increasing floor spacing, savvy finishing, and interior presence.

The Nuggets open the season October 23 vs. Golden State, a showcase for their revamped rotation and Adelman’s system. FanDuel’s over/under sits at 53.5 wins, underscoring the expectation of a tight, high-caliber campaign. The chatter around Jokic remains that he’s the near-unanimous top asset in the world, with Burns of the fan base in Milwaukee, L.A., and Oklahoma City still debating the case for others. Denver’s mix of MVP-caliber talent and reinforced depth keeps them squarely in the championship mix as they chase another deep playoff run.