Denver Nuggets 2024-25 Season Preview, Predictions, & Odds

The Denver Nuggets failed to repeat as champions last season, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the playoffs.

NBA futures odds are available at the BetMGM online sportsbook, including online sports betting odds for NBA champion, division winner, and player awards.

Denver Nuggets Futures Odds

Win Total: 51.5

Northwest Division: +325

Western Conference: +400

NBA Championship: +850

The Nuggets’ NBA championship odds are the fourth-best in the league.

Denver’s basketball odds of winning the NBA Finals were +650 last season, with +375 odds to win the Western Conference.

The Nuggets have hit the over on their win total in eight consecutive seasons.

Denver Nuggets Offseason Moves

The Nuggets lost yet another key contributor to their championship win in 2023, as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope departed to the Orlando Magic in free agency.

Denver added Russell Westbrook, who they hope could add a spark off their bench with his fast-paced style and all-around play. They also added Dario Šarić, whose 3-point shooting, defence, and all-around skill set as a big could mesh well with this group.

Denver Nuggets Additions

Denver Nuggets Departures

Denver Nuggets 2024-25 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Over 51.5 Wins (-115)

I predict that the Nuggets will win over 51.5 games this upcoming season.

Nikola Jokić will continue to be in the MVP conversation, given his otherworldly efficiency in shooting the ball, especially within 0-14 feet of the basket.

The Joker tallied his 12th TRIPLE-DOUBLE of the season in the Nuggets' win over the Pelicans 🃏

27 PTS
14 AST
10 REB

📊 Nikola Jokic joins Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in the shot clock era to shoot 80% from the field in a span of 8 games (min. 80 FGA) pic.twitter.com/uHzrgQ7Wou

— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2024

The reigning MVP can body his opponent up in the post, beat them with a turnaround fadeaway jumper, drive to the rim, or stick both midrange and 3-point shots.

The Joker’s offensive repertoire opens up his playmaking game, as he can find his teammates through open cracks in the defence, lob it up, throw wrap-around passes, run the pick-and-roll as the lead ball-handler, manipulate where his passes are going, and perfectly anticipate where to get his cutting teammates the ball.

Jamal Murray is coming off a rough showing for Team Canada during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, but his fit with Jokić and within the Nuggets’ offence should help him revert to playing his best basketball.

Murray is adept at creating a lot of space on his fadeaway jumpers, especially in the midrange, but he’s also a strong 3-point shooter and finisher at the rim.

Aaron Gordon will be relied upon heavily to run the pick-and-roll with Jokić, serve as a secondary playmaker, guard all positions, and camp around the dunker’s spot, where he’ll be a beneficiary of plenty of lob and interior passes.

There are a ton of questions heading into the season for the Nuggets.

Michael Porter Jr. was benched in favour of Christian Braun down the stretch at times during the playoffs as he struggled to find his shot.

With Caldwell-Pope out of town, can Porter Jr. finally step up and average more than 20 points per game? Jokić’s playmaking can certainly help him get there, but MPJ needs to step up his ability to create his own shot off the dribble and finish at the rim rather than always camping out in the corner.

With injuries always a concern and a lack of focus on the game at times, it’s hard to envision MPJ making that leap, especially with the Nuggets seemingly content with running their offence primarily through Jokić. 

Westbrook won’t help replace KCP’s 3-point shooting, but he’ll surely be able to help push the ball in transition, attack the rim, play make for his teammates, and provide some rugged defence on the ball and in the passing lanes.

Braun is a hard-nosed defender and a threat to knock down the triple, but expecting him to do it at the same level as Caldwell-Pope is a bit ambitious.

I think the Nuggets can still win over 51.5 games, but barring any moves, they might not have enough to win a championship this upcoming season.