NBA: 2022-23 Western Conference pre-season playoff projections

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Denver Nuggets Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports) /

3. Denver Nuggets

It may be somewhat of a surprise to see the Denver Nuggets this high. However, the last time that this team was completely healthy, it seemed as if they were on the verge of something special. And now that both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are healthy, the Nuggets could very well pick up where they left off a couple of seasons ago.

If so, they’re going to need Nikola Jokic to be the Nikola Jokic of the last two seasons. If he can continue to be the perennial MVP candidate, the Nuggets should be a top 4 team in the Western Conference this season. Especially considering all the uncertainty that comes at the top.

The Nuggets also added Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, and Deandre Jordan to an already pretty deep roster. Denver is primed to make another deep playoff run and this could finally be the year when it happens.