July 16th 2024.
The Joker deserves a better hand. As always, he will raise Christian Braun, just as he has elevated all those in his circle. Nikola Jokic is a basketball phenomenon, a living cheat code, a generational force that lifts everyone around him.
But he's no Moses. As Nuggets executive Calvin Booth said 25 months ago, he is the steward of Jokic's peak years. It's his responsibility to make the most of them and take advantage of his talents.
Oh, those were the days. In June 2022, the Nuggets were on the rise. Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were on their way to join the team. If only we had known then what we know now... we would have gladly taken it, imperfections and all.
But as fate would have it, the Steward of the Peak Years is currently in a shooting slump. In the past month, the Nuggets have lost a starting guard in Caldwell-Pope, who is known for his defensive prowess and three-point shooting. They also traded away their backup point guard Reggie Jackson, who averaged 10.2 points per game. Meanwhile, their starting point guard Jamal Murray has been plagued by injuries. And to add insult to injury, they had to give up three second-round draft picks in the process.
But hey, at least they have Dario Saric now.
Jokic will turn 30 in February, and if he weren't the incredible player he is, he might be considering a trade. But instead, he remains loyal to the Nuggets and continues to lead the team.
Still, there is cause for concern. Other teams in the Western Conference have improved, while the Nuggets seem to have taken a step back. The Thunder, Mavericks, Spurs, Grizzlies, Kings, and Pelicans have all made significant moves to strengthen their rosters. And what have the Nuggets done? They acquired Dario Saric.
Of course, there is still time to make improvements. There are rumors that Russell Westbrook may be available, but he doesn't quite fit the mold of what the Nuggets need. And while it's easy to blame the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement for making it difficult to create a dynasty, the Nuggets' front office needs to stop complaining and start making better decisions.
The CBA didn't force the Nuggets to guarantee $32 million to Zeke Nnaji through 2027, with a cap hit of $8.9 million this season. Or to guarantee $10.25 million to Reggie Jackson through 2025. Or to give guaranteed contracts to second-round draft picks Jalen Pickett and Hunter Tyson, who are currently averaging a combined 13.0 points per game in the NBA Summer League. And the CBA certainly didn't force the Nuggets to trade away three second-round picks on draft night for a rookie big man who may have been available at their original pick.
Every time the front office makes a positive move, a questionable contract decision sets them two steps back. It's frustrating for fans, and it may even be angering the basketball gods. We can only hope that Jokic's loyalty to the Nuggets will last, but as time goes on, it becomes harder to ignore the lure of returning home to Serbia.
As Booth said, he doesn't feel the pressure of being the Steward of the Peak Years. He is just excited for the opportunity to help Jokic as he has helped the organization and everyone in it. But with the competitive landscape of the Western Conference, the Steward needs to make some changes in order to keep up. Jokic can't do it alone forever.
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