Nuggets Should Give Jokic and Bagley More Shared Court Time
The Denver Nuggets revamped their bench this offseason, adding Marvin Bagley III among others. The article suggests pairing Bagley with Nikola Jokic in a two-big lineup, noting that Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas had a strong net rating together last season. Bagley's athleticism and shooting could make him an even better fit alongside Jokic.
The Nuggets' front office clearly prioritized bench depth this offseason, adding veteran scorer DeMar DeRozan alongside Bagley, Diallo, and Brazile while promoting internal options like Tyus Jones and Strawther. Bagley's efficiency numbers last season—nearly 62% from the field and 46% from three—suggest he could thrive in a complementary role rather than as a primary scorer.
Denver's defensive struggles ranked 21st last year, and the article notes that small-ball lineups around Jokic were particularly problematic. With Aaron Gordon's injury history (36 games last season), the coaching staff may need creative solutions. Bagley's natural power forward position and athleticism could provide the size and versatility Denver lacked when Gordon was unavailable.
This lineup strategy could influence how NBA teams evaluate traditional big-man pairings in an era increasingly dominated by small-ball and perimeter play. If the Jokic-Bagley combination proves effective, other franchises may reconsider two-big rotations, potentially shifting roster construction trends. For Nuggets fans, the decision could affect playoff positioning and championship viability in a loaded Western Conference. The broader basketball community may also watch how Denver balances analytics-driven lineup data with conventional positional thinking, as this experiment could validate or challenge current coaching philosophies.