Nuggets' most intriguing offseason question still remains to be answered

The Denver Nuggets have significantly revamped their roster this offseason by adding four players and a rookie expected to contribute immediately, but maximizing this talent depends on how head coach David Adelman manages lineups and rotations.

Former coach Michael Malone faced criticism for rigid rotational patterns, notably playing Nikola Jokić entire first and third quarters while deploying bench-heavy units separately. This approach lacked creativity and sparked debate over whether limited talent drove Malone’s decisions or if his rotations stifled player development.

With Malone gone, Adelman now has flexibility to rest stars like Jokić more frequently, stagger starter minutes, and experiment with diverse lineup combinations. Potential strategies include grouping shooters (e.g., Cam Johnson, Jamal Murray), deploying size (Jokić with Jonas Valančiūnas), or emphasizing perimeter defense (Aaron Gordon with Christian Braun).

This versatility contrasts sharply with last season’s limitations, where only five or six reliable players forced a single "avenue to victory." Adelman must use the regular season to test these options, ensuring the team develops counterstrategies for playoff scenarios when primary plans fail.

Successful implementation would grant the Nuggets critical optionality and flexibility—key traits for championship contention in today’s NBA—allowing them to pivot to Plans C or D during high-stakes games.