NBA Hope Index: How far is each team from a ring heading into 2017-18?

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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DENVER, CO – MARCH 02: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets controls the ball against Roy Hibbert #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Pepsi Center on March 2, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Lakers 117-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

11. Denver Nuggets

It’s amazing how the outlook of a franchise can change once it gets (or figures out it already has) a star on its hands.

Nikola Jokic was nothing short of a revelation last season. No, he doesn’t really defend, he commits silly fouls, and he has yet to start even a season’s worth of games. But at 22 years old, he already has as diverse an offensive repertoire as any center in the NBA. He is a borderline top ten NBA asset.

Surrounding Jokic are several other young pieces who flashed at different times last year, none more so than rookie Jamal Murray, who seems like an untouchable amidst all the trade speculation that surrounded the team this summer. The only question here surrounds a front office that is generally well regarded but looks a lot worse after giving up a first round draft pick to get rid of Jusuf Nurkic.

They’re also still a piece away, and as good as the Millsap signing was, he doesn’t jive with their long term timeline. Mudiay seems like a bust, and the team is now too good to land a premium pick. As well as they’ve drafted the last few years, they just miss the cut on our top ten teams here.

Path to Glory: Figure out a way for the offense to run through Nurkic and Murray without a traditional point guard, consolidate their assets for one more long term piece, get lucky again in next year’s draft, and hope Millsap’s signing was a sign of things to come for future free agents.

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