NBA Rumors: IT believes the Denver Nuggets will make the playoffs in 2018-19

NBA Rumors: The Denver Nuggets have made the necessary improvements this summer to be serious contenders for a playoff spot in the West, and Isaiah Thomas appears to agree

The Denver Nuggets fell one win short of qualifying for the 2017-18 NBA playoffs. Health permitting, though, they will likely secure a spot in the playoffs this season – thanks to the improvements that they’ve made this summer.

And one of their bigger additions, Isaiah Thomas, agrees wholeheartedly with that assessment.

You might say, “well what is he supposed to say?” And you’re right. Of course you want your players saying that they’re going to make the playoffs this season. However, this isn’t actually that bold of a prediction if you look at what has transpired this summer.

For one, the Nuggets have no question gotten better. Over the course of the offseason, the Nuggets added Thomas, re-signed Will Barton and drafted Michael Porter Jr., who could possibly be the biggest steal of the 2018 NBA Draft.

Even though the Western Conference as a whole has also gotten better, the Nuggets should’ve made the postseason last year. If they remain healthy this season, as well as continue to improve on both sides of the ball, Denver should be in contention for a top 8 spot in the West.

Looking at the conference objectively, the teams that are locked into a playoff spot are the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder. Likely playoff teams are the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets.

Essentially, there are 11 teams fighting for eight playoff spots in the Western Conference. There’s no question that it’s going to be a competitive season, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK to discount a team like the Nuggets that have rebuilt all the way to this point.

Isaiah Thomas is right; the Nuggets have a great chance of finally breaking through and qualifying for the NBA Playoffs this season.