As he spoke with pride over the Denver Nuggets winning their first NBA title in franchise history, coach Michael Malone undoubtedly looked intoxicated with championship euphoria. Perhaps with a few adult beverages, too.
In that setting, Malone offered truth serum that also revealed a larger meaning about the Nuggets’ goals.
“Nuggets Nation, let’s do it again!” Malone told the celebratory crowd at the team’s championship parade in Denver. “We’re not satisfied! We don’t want one; we want two!”
Once NBA free agency begins on Friday (6 p.m. ET), how many of the 29 other teams will make moves in hopes of stopping that from happening? Technically, every team will say they want to compete for an NBA title every season. In reality, teams make moves either to sell winning with their current roster or to sell hope for their long-term future.
Some teams have already signaled they expect to compete for an NBA title next season.
Teams made moves before NBA free agency
After losing to the Nuggets in the second round despite having two of the league’s most aggressive scorers in Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns dealt aging point guard Chris Paul, role player Landry Shamet and draft picks to the Washington Wizards for All-Star point guard Bradley Beal. After failing to return to the NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics dealt their emotional leader, defensive stopper and occasionally reliable shooter, Marcus Smart, in a three-team trade for Kristaps Porzingis, an elite big man that can score and pass from anywhere in hopes to complement stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
After falling short of defending their NBA title, the Golden State Warriors further prioritized their championship core players (Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green) by dealing Jordan Poole, an intriguing albeit inconsistent young player, to Washington for a future Hall-of-Fame point guard that will likely need to take a reduced role both to fit in and to stay healthy (Paul). After the Nuggets swept them in the Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers signaled they will try to retain most of their free agents instead of chasing a third star partly because Denver won an NBA title by prioritizing continuity. After underachieving with immaturity both on and off the court, the Memphis Grizzlies acquired Smart in hopes he can complement the team’s defensive toughness while holding star point guard Ja Morant and his other young teammates more accountable.
Other teams have signaled they may have to worry more about their long-term future or adjusting to the NBA’s new labor deal that penalizes high-spending teams.
The Portland Trail Blazers drafted a dynamic playmaker (Scoot Henderson) with their No. 3 pick instead of trading it for a proven veteran that can maximize Damian Lillard’s championship window. With Washington staying stuck in mediocrity, the Wizards’ new front office traded their two-star players (Beal, Porzingis) in hopes to collect as many draft picks and shed as much salary to ensure a clean slate. Though the Los Angeles Clippers still hope to finally win an NBA title with a healthy Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, they waived veteran guard Eric Gordon to save significantly on luxury taxes and to create more playing time for their younger players. After Hawks center John Collins experienced uncertainty with being linked in trade discussions in recent seasons, the Hawks finally pulled the trigger in an essential salary dump. With the Utah Jazz acquiring Collins and his three-year, $78 million contract in exchange for veteran Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick, ESPN reported the Hawks also received a $25.3 million trade exception due to the team’s cost savings.
As for the Nuggets? Cue Malone’s chants to the Denver crowd during the title parade.
“Dynasty, dynasty, dynasty!” Malone shouted.
That seems ambitious. Only the Celtics (1956-66), Lakers (1952-54, 2000-02) and Chicago Bulls (1991-93, 1996-98) have ever won three consecutive championships. It seems plausible, though, for the Nuggets to join the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Houston Rockets as the only teams to defend their NBA title. They have the NBA’s best center in Nikola Jokic that punished opponents with his post-up skills, perimeter shooting and elite passing. They have a healthy point guard that could make his first All-Star appearance next season (Jamal Murray). And they have two-way depth both in the paint (Aaron Gordon) and in the wings (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope).
Can Denver Nuggets offset other teams’ NBA free agency moves?
During the Nuggets’ championship parade, Malone motioned key reserve Bruce Brown to stand alongside him as he addressed the crowd. Malone then brought up Brown’s pending free agency after he declined his $6.8 million player option in hopes for a longer deal.
“Is Bruce going anywhere? Hell no!” Malone shouted to the crowd that enjoyed his remarks. “Hey! We run this [expletive] back!”
Will that actually happen? Brown told the Denver Post before the parade that he would accept a home-town discount. It’s one thing to say that in between champagne baths. It’s quite another when processing spreadsheets during free-agency negotiations. Incidentally, The Athletic reported the Lakers are one of the teams that believe they can sign Brown during the NBA free agency period at a non-taxpayer mid-level exception projected at $12.4 million. Even if the Nuggets wanted to, they would only be allowed to pay up to around $7 million per season. Both parties could agree to such a deal with the implied expectation that Denver would reward Brown with a more lucrative extension next summer.
Regardless of whether the Lakers or any other team can directly strip away the Nuggets’ championship armor, their chances at denying them a consecutive NBA title also depends on what other moves they make in NBA free agency and how they manage the season.
Phoenix may have the most top-heavy talent on their roster. Just as they experienced during their second-round loss to Denver, the Suns still lack depth. Will they trade center Deandre Ayton soon to address those glaring needs? Or will they remain adamant that Ayton can succeed as a rim protector with a limited offensive role under head coach Frank Vogel, who brings both defensive credentials and a fresh voice after Ayton and former head coach Monty Williams clashed about his role? The Warriors have the talent and experience to help Paul win his first NBA title. But will Paul accept a potential bench role and an even more limited workload so that he stays healthy and helps the Warriors in crucial postseason moments?
Will the Celtics make more moves to offset any risk that Porzingis struggles with injuries again? Though the Lakers plan to retain key role players Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, can they package together a sign-and-trade with D’Angelo Russell and expiring contracts (Mo Bamba, Malik Beasley) to acquire more talent? After becoming the second eight-seed in NBA history to make the Finals, can the Miami Heat make a big move to help Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo without sacrificing too much of their depth?
Just like with anything involving the busy NBA free agency period, the championship landscape remains fluid. As of now, though, the Nuggets have all the ingredients needed to defend their league title. They are the same ingredients that ensured their first NBA championship. The Nuggets’ leftovers still have a quality shelf life and shouldn’t spoil anytime soon. Nonetheless, we’ll soon find out if other teams make some spicy moves that change up the flavoring.
Mark Medina is an NBA Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.