5. Denver Nuggets
No team is out of the race when Nikola Jokic is at center. The reigning MVP remains the most dominant at his position and a top-10 player across the NBA.
The Nuggets are known for their deep roster and well-rounded system, featuring key players like the recently acquired Aaron Gordon, the recently extended Michael Porter Jr., and the recently injured Jamal Murray who Denver will be without for the majority of the season.
Still despite the gutting loss, the Nuggets suffered in the 2021 postseason, the team is still a formidable threat to the majority of its adversaries. The Nuggets are a juggernaut of passing and finishing that can come from any direction with how incredible of a facilitator The Joker can be.
As long as he’s on the floor, his team will be in the contender conversation.