The Denver Nuggets went to the Western Conference finals last year, and were very much in the running for the championship prior to their loss to the LeBron James-led Lakers. Since last season, their roster of players has only expanded with offseason draft picks as well as their talent already on the team. Each player on Denver’s roster has special strengths, some of which were shown in last year’s league semifinals and some that have yet to be exhibited. Here is a rundown of the players making up the Denver Nuggets roster and helping them to their 23-16 record.

      C: Center    PG: Point Guard    SG: Shooting Guard    SF: Small Forward    PF: Power Forward          

 Nikola Jokic (C)

The Nuggets’ star player makes his appearance as an all-star starter for Team LeBron this year. He started playing for the Serbian Basketball League from 2012, and was drafted to the Nuggets in 2015. Jokic (the Joker) is known for his passing and ability to get triple-doubles (10+ points, rebounds, and assists), with 9 already this season. He is regarded by NBC and ESPN as the greatest passing center ever. This is supported by the fact that his career average of 7.1 assists is the second highest ever for a player over 6’6, only behind Magic Johnson. A skilled outside shooter as well, the 6’11 listed big man continues to be the driving force of the team throughout this season and looks to only push them forwards. This season he has been averaging 27.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 8.6 assists.

Jamal Murray (PG/SG)

As a player in his 4th year, Murray truly showed his ability to play for the team in last year’s playoffs. In the 2019-2020 season he averaged 18.5 points, but averaged over 21 throughout Denver’s matchups against the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers. Murray is an expert three-point shooter and even better driving inside and making contested layups. This year he recently set a career high of 50 points in 80% three-point shooting on February 19 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has shown signs of being a second franchise player for Denver. This season he has averaged 21.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.

Michael Porter Jr. (PF/SF)

Drafted in 2018, the 6’10 Porter Jr. spent his rookie season with Denver as they went to the NBA semifinals. Porter is skilled at using his height to evade defenders, and is also one of the best three-point shooters on his team. He is currently struggling with passing and decision-making, but is expected to get better with experience, like most rookies. He has been averaging 14.6 points and 7 rebounds per game.

Bol Bol (PF, C)

Son of the tallest player in NBA history, Manute Bol, 7’2 Bol Bol is also in his second season. From Sudan, Bol played well for the University of Oregon but has yet to make a splash in the current league, playing in only 3 out of Denver’s last 10 games. Bol is strong in outside shooting and passing, and will hopefully get more playing time as the season progresses. Last season he averaged 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

Paul Millsap (PF/C)

The 36-year-old veteran player Millsap has been in the league since 2006, and has played for the Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks, and has been in Denver since 2017. He is a 4-time all-star, last appearing in 2017. He is 6’7 and specializes in shooting in and outside. Averaging 10.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game this season. However, he has hurt his knee and will not play until the 14th.

Will Barton (SG, SF)

6’6 Will Barton is the team’s 4th highest scorer, averaging 11.6 points per game. A good shooter and rebounder, Barton has been shooting 44% this season in his 8th year pro (player for Portland and Toronto). Along with 3.1 assists per game so far, Barton is a strong guard and forward for the Nuggets, and has been filling Michael Porter Jr’s spot as a starter.

Monte Morris (PG/SG)

6’2 Monte Morris has been playing alongside Jamal Murray in Denver’s backcourt. In his third year, Morris has tied together the lineup and shooting a nice 47% from the floor this season. Averaging 10.6 points and 3.4 assists per game, the 25 year old has potential to be another franchise player, but is usually not a starter for the team. 

Gary Harris (SG/SF)

6’4 Gary Harris has been a helpful bench player for Denver, with 9.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. After playing for Michigan State, he was drafted to the Nuggets in 2014, but is currently out with a left thigh strain. It is unclear when he will return to action.

JaMychal Green (PF/C)

Green was drafted in November 2020, making this his rookie year, his height of 6’8 and strength make him a good fit for the center and power forward position. Green will be out for a while due to a shoulder injury, but has been averaging 9.1 points and 6 rebounds a game, and is looking like the best new addition to the team.

PJ Dozier (PG/SG)

Drafted in 2017, PJ Dozier has already played for the Oklahoma City Thunder (as well as their G-league affiliate the Oklahoma City Blue), Boston Celtics, and Denver in 2019-present. Averaging 7.6 points and 3.9 assist, Dozier currently is the backup guard to Jamal Murray and Monte Morris

Facundo Campazzo (PG)

Argentinian-born Facundo Campazzo is the shortest player on the team, listed at 5’10. Campazzo has not started in any games so far, but has shown that he excels in three-point shooting and crafty passing. He is another rookie, and has been averaging 5.5 points and 2.1 assist per game, playing in the absence of Monte Morris.

Isaiah Hartenstein (PF/C)

7’0 German Isiah Hertenstein has been playing backup center to Nikola Jokic. He specializes in dunks and driving, and has averaged 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in his 3rd NBA season.

Zeke Nnaji (PF/C)

Drafted in the 2020 offseason, the 6’9 rookie Nnaji is a backup to Isiah Hartenstein. He has played in only 5 out of the last 10 games, and is averaging 3.6 points so far.

RJ. Hampton (PG)

After playing for the New Zealand Breakers for the Australia Basketball League, Roderick “R. J.” Hampton was drafted to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2020, and was then traded to Denver. He has played in 3 out of the last 5 games, and is averaging 2.5 points over this season.

Vlatko Čančar (PF/SF)

From Slovenia, 6’11 Čančar is in his second season playing for Denver. He has played a total of 8 minutes in 4 out of the Nugget’s last 10 games, and has an average of 1.5 points.

Markus Howard (SG/PG)

Another NBA rookie, Howard has only played 7 minutes in 5 out of Denver’s last 10 games. He is currently out and will not play for at least 2 weeks due to COVID-19 protocols.