NBA Restart: How reworked rosters will shape the Western Conference

3rd: Denver Nuggets (⇆)

The Denver Nuggets might have struck gold here in Orlando.

Coming into the Orlando restart, Denver was in an interesting spot in the tightly packed Western Conference. Sitting back in third with a 43-22 record, the Nuggets’ lineup has been able to bully teams on the inside.

However inside the bubble, Denver has taken advantage of the extra time available to experiment with different potential starting lineups.

And it’s glorious.

With potentially the steal of the 2019 NBA draft, the Nuggets selected Bol Bol after he slipped from the top 10 to the 44th overall pick. Bol has yet to see the floor this season, however the young big impressed in his time during scrimmage action, developing a connection on passes from play-making big man Nikola Jokic.

Mike Malone got extra crafty by slotting Jokic into the point guard spot- a terrifying thought for undersized guards across the league. The “Joker” has proven his soft passing touch over his career, bolstering that this season averaging 6.9 assists to go along with 20.2 points per game.

Jokic also made progress over the NBA’s hiatus by shedding some extra weight, looking noticeably slimmer in recent scrimmage play. By working 20-25 pounds off of his frame, Jokic should be able to get up and down to floor with ease while still being able to operate in the paint.

In news from the injury sheet, Nuggets guards P.J. Dozier and Monte Morris have both rejoined the team after being held up from travel in quarantine. The pair is expected to be ready for Denver’s first game back Saturday against the Miami Heat.

Veteran forward Paul Millsap was also delayed getting to Orlando, but has since and suited up in the Nugget’s final scrimmage game, playing well.

Gary Harris is expected to be heavy minutes restriction after a hip injury kept the guard from playing in any exhibition matchups. Harris will be missed on the floor if he is unavailable, averaging 10.4 points per game for Denver this season.

Coach Malone confirmed his number one goal in the seeding games is to just keep all his players healthy and ready for the playoffs starting August 17th. With the media and fanfare focusing on the battle of Los Angeles for the West, do not count out the Nuggets to have their say on the outcome of the West.