The Denver Nuggets submitted a fairly disappointing title defense during the 2023-24 NBA playoffs.

Part of Denver’s problem stemmed from free agency moves it could ill afford to match. The Nuggets let standout sixth-man shooting guard Bruce Brown depart for the Indiana Pacers on a lucrative two-year, $45 million contract while watching seventh-man combo forward Jeff Green leave for the Houston Rockets on a two-season, $16 million agreement.

The Nuggets couldn’t quite replace either player in their 2023-24 rotation, and both were sorely missed when Denver fell to the bigger, lengthier Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round.

This summer, Denver was at it again, allowing starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to leave on a three-year, $66 million deal with the Orlando Magic. In terms of new additions, Denver opted only to bring in well-traveled reserve point guard Russell Westbrook and defense-free backup big man Dario Saric, while re-signing underperforming incumbents Vlatko Cancar and DeAndre Jordan.

Denver’s biggest offseason move, however, was the team’s decision to re-sign oft-injured starting point guard Jamal Murray to a five-year, $208 million contract extension earlier this month.

Read more: Nuggets Sign Star Jamal Murray to Massive Extension Before Season

The team now has Murray, three-time MVP center Nikola Jokic, and starting small forward Michael Porter Jr. all under team control through the 2026-27 season. Expected Caldwell-Pope replacement Christian Braun will hit restricted free agency in 2026, meaning the Nuggets will be able to match any offer tendered his way and keep him rostered for a good long while.

That leaves just one starter, power forward Aaron Gordon, as a long-term question mark. The 6-foot-8 vet has a $22.8 million player option for the 2025-26 season. He becomes eligible for a four-season extension on Friday.

Nuggets team president Calvin Booth, while speaking at a team presser on Thursday, expressed optimism that they could agree to terms on an agreement with Gordon sooner rather than later, per Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports.

“Hopefully we have some productive talks with his representation and are able to find a deal,” Booth said. “We want Aaron here for a long time.”

For his part, Gordon, too, was hopeful that both sides could negotiate a deal, according to Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette.

“I really love this organization,” Gordon noted. “I love the players on this team. I love the coaching staff. I hope we get it done. It seems like it’s moving forward in the right direction.”

Last year, Gordon averaged 13.9 points on 55.6 percent shooting from the floor and 65.8 percent shooting from the charity stripe, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks across 73 contests for Denver, providing solid defense and excellent finishing around the rim.

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