In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene following DaRon Holmes II’s glorious return to NBA Summer League. Among the topics discussed:

• Nikola Jokic caused a stir in NBA circles by … doing nothing?! Denver’s MVP center became extension-eligible last week but declined to sign on the dotted line, according to league sources. Here’s why Nuggets fans need not freak out — yet.
• Jonas Valanciunas caused a stir in NBA circles by … visiting Greece?! The recently acquired backup to Jokic was offered a three-year contract by EuroLeague power Panathinaikos, and Valanciunas signaled mutual interest by visiting Greece. Yet the Nuggets hold all the cards. What happens next?
• Nuggets big man DaRon Holmes II returned to NBA Summer League a year after rupturing an Achilles tendon at the very same venue. How did the second-year player look? And how might he slot into what’s becoming a deep Nuggets rotation?
• With the Cam Johnson-MPJ trade now complete, the fellas ponder if the Nuggets might now have a better starting five than when the franchise won the NBA title in 2023.
• What’s Denver’s best public park? You better believe the fellas have some opinions.

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Producer: AAron Ontiveroz
Music: “The Last Dragons” by Schama Noel

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In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene three days after the stunning trade of Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets. Among the topics discussed:

• The Nuggets’ two-man brain trust turned Porter’s salary into four players: Cam Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. How in the world did they pull this off? And how long had executives Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace been mapping this out?
• How much better does this make the Nuggets? What will the rotation look like come October? And how many of these players will actually be able to give the Nuggets depth in the postseason?
• In light of the first two weeks of the Tenzer-Wallace era, what’s the confidence in this setup working going forward? Could other moves be made? Could these wizards find a way to dump Zeke Nnaji’s contract, too? Maybe cure cancer?
• Ranking the contenders after free agency and the draft: The boys provide their our own Top 10 following player acquisition season.
• Loose ends: Thoughts on the NBA Finals and the tragedy that was Tyrese Haliburton’s Game 7 injury.

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Producer: AAron Ontiveroz
Music: “The Last Dragons” by Schama Noel

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In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene with the NBA Finals on tap. Among the topics discussed:

• Speaking to reporters twice in the span of a few weeks, Nuggets President and Governor Josh Kroenke made it clear he thinks the answers to Denver’s problems are internal. Then he backed that up by officially hiring interim coach David Adelman as head coach. How much pressure does that put on Adelman to get the team back to title contention?
• Do Kroenke’s words mean we can expect another internal hire for the general manager opening? Who might that be? When will that decision be made? And who are some of the bargain free agents they can target?
• Are the Nuggets about to become a half-court team with a totally remade defensive strategy? Changes to the coaching staff seem to indicate that while there is an emphasis on maintaining the status quo, things won’t be entirely the same schematically.
• Bennett and Matt give an assessment of each of the Nuggets on the roster. Is their stock up, down or holding steady? And what does that mean for their future in Denver?

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Producer: AAron Ontiveroz
Music: “The Last Dragons” by Schama Noel

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In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after Denver’s elimination from the NBA Playoffs. Among the topics discussed:

• The Nuggets’ season not-so-mercifully came to an end in a Game 7 blowout loss at the Oklahoma City Thunder. What was the biggest culprit in their demise? Did the Thunder’s cynical approach to overtly physical defense finally break Nikola Jokic? Did Denver even stand a chance after all of the injuries and its relative lack of depth?
• How did the Nuggets get here? Who is ultimately responsible for their second consecutive exit in the Western Conference semifinals? Is this all on former general manager Calvin Booth? What role did Michael Malone play in the team’s inability to develop long-term depth? Is there even some blood on Tim Connelly’s hands?
• Now that the season is finished, where do the Nuggets go from here? Without any draft picks to add to the roster, are there moves that can be made to improve the roster or shake things up? What about trades? Could Michael Porter Jr. be on the trading block? What about Aaron Gordon or Jamal Murray? The fellas open up the trade machine to dive into a few possibilities.
• Did David Adelman do enough to take over as head coach for the 2025-26 season? Will the Nuggets opt to promote from within to fill both that opening and then one for general manager?

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Producer: AAron Ontiveroz
Music: “The Last Dragons” by Schama Noel

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In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after Denver’s Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Among the topics discussed:

• Game 4 reactions: The worst first quarter in the history of baskets or balls? Yes.
• What’s to blame for the poor start? Tired legs? The 36-hour crunch between games? Both?
• What’s wrong with Nikola Jokic? Another tough outing has some wondering if the arm sleeve is thinly concealing a nagging injury. The 3-point and free throw lines weigh in.
• Conversely, has anyone done more to elevate their stock than Aaron Gordon in these NBA Playoffs? Could the Nuggets ever consider trading a player who’s cemented his status as one of the most beloved players on the team?
• What do the Nuggets need to do to survive the Thunder and advance to the Western Conference Finals?

Subscribe to the podcast
SoundCloud | iTunes | Spotify | YouTube Music | RSS

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz
Music: “The Last Dragons” by Schama Noel

Want more Nuggets news? Sign up for the Nuggets Insider to get all our NBA analysis.

Want more Nuggets news? Sign up for the Nuggets Insider to get all our NBA analysis.