Watching the Denver Nuggets lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2023, I couldn't help but reflect on how championship rosters are truly built—not bought. As someone who's studied team construction across multiple sports leagues, I've noticed that sustainable success rarely comes from splashy free agency moves alone. The Nuggets' journey to becoming NBA champions offers a masterclass in roster development that every front office should study. What struck me most was their commitment to an organizational philosophy that prioritized continuity, internal development, and strategic patience over quick fixes.
I remember watching Nikola Jokić's early games and thinking there was something special there, though even I couldn't have predicted he'd become a two-time MVP. The Nuggets drafted him 41st overall in 2014—a pick that now looks like pure genius. But here's what many miss: their success wasn't just about finding a diamond in the rough. It was about creating an environment where that diamond could polish itself over years. They resisted trading their core pieces during rough stretches, even when critics questioned Jokić and Jamal Murray's fit early on. The front office, led by Tim Connelly and later Calvin Booth, demonstrated remarkable restraint, avoiding the temptation to blow things up during injury-plagued seasons.
The Murray injury in 2021 was particularly telling. Many organizations would have panicked and made reactive moves. Instead, the Nuggets doubled down on their identity, developing Michael Porter Jr. through his own injury concerns and finding value in overlooked players like Bruce Brown and Jeff Green. Their 2023 championship starting lineup featured three players they drafted—Jokić, Murray, and Porter—with key role players acquired through savvy mid-level exceptions and minimum contracts. The chemistry they built over years of shared experience became their ultimate competitive advantage.
This approach reminds me of something I observed in international basketball contexts. Just last month, I was reading about Gilas Pilipinas and coach Tim Cone's comments regarding Kai Sotto's availability. Cone mentioned, "For sure, he won't be playing [in the Asia Cup]. Hopefully, he would start to play sometime in the World Cup qualifiers," after Barangay Ginebra's win over Meralco in the PBA Commissioner's Cup. This strategic patience with a franchise player mirrors what the Nuggets demonstrated with Murray during his ACL recovery. Both situations show how championship-caliber organizations think long-term rather than rushing key pieces back before they're ready.
Denver's roster construction followed what I like to call the "organic growth model." They maintained roughly 60% roster continuity year-over-year since 2019, compared to the league average of around 45%. This consistency allowed them to develop sophisticated offensive sets that other teams simply couldn't replicate through talent alone. Their signature "two-man game" between Jokić and Murray evolved over six seasons together, becoming nearly impossible to defend in high-pressure situations. Meanwhile, teams like the Lakers and Nets were constantly reshuffling their rotations, never establishing the same level of cohesion.
The financial discipline deserves special mention. While superteams elsewhere were pushing deep into the luxury tax, Denver strategically managed their cap sheet. Jokić's supermax extension (projected at $270 million over five years) represented their one major financial commitment to a homegrown star. Complementary pieces were acquired through team-friendly deals—Aaron Gordon's extension averaging $22 million annually represented excellent value for his two-way impact. This fiscal responsibility ensured they could maintain their core while still having flexibility to add the final pieces.
What impressed me most was their player development program. Christian Braun, their 2022 first-round pick, contributed meaningful minutes as a rookie during their championship run—something increasingly rare in today's NBA. Their G-League affiliate in Grand Rapids served as a perfect incubator for developing their scheme-specific role players. The coaching staff, led by Michael Malone, created an environment where players understood their roles perfectly. Unlike teams that constantly adjust systems to fit new personnel, Denver acquired players who fit their existing system.
The international scouting department deserves enormous credit. Finding Jokić was their crowning achievement, but they've consistently identified overseas talent that others overlooked. Their 53rd pick in 2022, Spanish forward Ismael Kamagate, continues developing overseas with team control—another example of their patient approach. This global network gives them access to talent pools that richer franchises often ignore in favor of more visible NCAA prospects.
As I look at the current NBA landscape, I see teams already trying to replicate Denver's blueprint. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies come to mind as organizations following similar patient building strategies. The difference is that Denver stuck with their core through multiple playoff disappointments before breaking through. Their 16-4 playoff record in 2023 wasn't a fluke—it was the culmination of eight years of strategic roster construction.
The lesson for other franchises is clear: sustainable success requires a coherent vision and the courage to stick with it through inevitable setbacks. While superteams will continue capturing headlines, the Nuggets proved that organic growth, strategic patience, and cultural continuity can still win in today's NBA. As teams prepare for the upcoming season, I expect more organizations to prioritize roster continuity and internal development over blockbuster trades. The 2023 champions didn't just win a title—they provided a blueprint for building lasting success in the modern NBA.