Renck: No Michael Malone. No MPJ. No excuses for Nuggets, Nikola Jokic to not win another title

The Denver Nuggets have undergone a significant transformation from the end of last season, moving away from a plan to simply retain an aging and injury-prone roster. Instead, the team has executed a cleansing of negative elements, including paranoia and a weak bench, which has led to a more positive and capable squad.

Key changes include the hiring of two general managers, Jon Wallace and Ben Tenzer, who made a trade that immediately revived championship expectations. These expectations have been bolstered by external factors such as the season-ending injury to Houston's Fred VanVleet, potential fatigue issues with the Oklahoma City team, and the recognition of six Nuggets players on ESPN's NBA Rank Top 100 list.

This roster is noted as the deepest that Nikola Jokic has ever played with, providing him with his best opportunity to win another title in Denver. Jokic, who is ranked number one on ESPN's list, has four prime years remaining, but the current setup is uniquely advantageous, highlighted by the acquisition of Jonas Valanciunas as a reliable backup center, a substantial upgrade over previous options.

With everything falling into place, including the upcoming media day, the Nuggets are positioned for a strong season, emphasizing that this is not a reset but a strategic improvement that addresses previous shortcomings.