In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene as the calendar flips to 2025 with a Denver rout of Atlanta. Among the topics discussed:

+ Jamal Murray's annual slow start to the season appears to finally be in the rearview mirror. With the Nuggets surging at 8-3 in their last 11 games, is this the key to the season?

+ Nikola Jokic was the clear favorite in ESPN's MVP straw poll at the end of the NBA Cup. Could he really win his fourth MVP in five seasons? Or is it Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's time with the Thunder rising above the rest in the Western Conference?

+ Russell Westbrook is fitting in with the Nuggets so far in the regular season. Can this last for Denver once the postseason rolls around?

+ How much of a concern is Aaron Gordon's hamstring issues? Should the Nuggets sit him for a while so he's 100% healthy for April?

+ Updated Nuggets Ink wins leader standings revealed and more listener emails.

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene as trade season begins in the NBA. Among the topics discussed:

+ Zach Lavine to the Denver Nuggets ... not so fast, sweetheart. Can the front office make a pitch to move enough pieces to upgrade -- Or not upgrade? — a roster that has left fans wondering if the glory of 2023 can return to the Mile High.

+ If not Lavine, then who? Jordan Poole, Cam Johnson? Is MPJ worth keeping, if the market yields parallel moves?

+ Jamal Murray does Jamal Murray things in Sacramento. Is his early-season lull an aberration? Will he return to form?

+ The Bucks win the in-season tournament. Can the Nuggets find a way to take seriously the fledgling competition or are their sights solely set on another NBA Finals run this season and for years to come?

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene as Denver gets ready for the NBA Cup. Among the topics discussed:

+ The NBA Cup is here, and people are wearing captain hats in Golden State! How about those courts? Terrible or just plain awful?

+ Nikola Jokic is playing like an MVP yet again. Can the big fella handle such a big load all season? Or does Michael Malone need to dial back on the minutes? Is Dario Saric already done with the Nuggets?

+ The youth movement is on in Denver after the young trio of Christian Braun, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther played key roles in back-to-back wins against the OKC Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks. Is it time for Calvin Booth to take a victory lap?

+ Bennett reviews the NBA wins draft and where everyone stands early in the season.

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene two weeks into the regular season. Among the topics discussed:

+ The Nuggets are 4-3 with several narrow wins on the resume that revealed more than a few holes. And now the national media is in a panic over Denver's title window. Time to pump the breaks?

+ The boys dig into a few overreactions in a game of "It might be early, but .." Chief among those hot takes: Is it time to start worrying about Jamal Murray?

+ Has Christian Braun already proven himself an upgrade over Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the Nuggets' starting lineup? What happens if Aaron Gordon continues his torrid 3-point shooting? Is this the worst second unit of the Nikola Jokic era? Speaking of the big fella: Is the Joker really going to win the MVP yet again?

+ On the other side of the break, Matt offers up a few more overreactions from around the NBA, then the boys open up the mailbag.

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene with the regular season set to tip off. Among the topics discussed:

+ Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon got his contract extension -- a four-year, $133 million deal that could have him in Denver through the 2028-29 season. Is the value good? What does this mean for the team long-term?

+ Bennett goes abroad and recounts stories from his time in the United Arab Emirates, where he covered a couple of Nuggets preseason games and saw Nikola Jokic's old team, Mega, in Dubai.

+ Jamal Murray had a bit of a bumpy preseason with a "funny" knee and a couple of off shooting nights. Cause for concern or just the normal getting-ready-for-the-season routine for Murray?

+ Bennett makes some Nuggets over/under predictions as Matt cooks up the stats.

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene with media day just one week away. Among the topics discussed:

+ Jamal Murray is officially locked up. The Nuggets' star point guard signed a four-year, $208.5 million extension after an up-and-down summer that concluded with a sub-par showing at the Paris Olympics.  What does the deal mean for the Nuggets long-term? Was this a move the team had to make?

+ Looking back at the Olympics, Bennett talks about his experience watching Serbia and Team USA face off in the group stage of the Summer Games. Who impressed most in Paris? Is there anything that can be taken from those games that applies to this upcoming NBA season?

+ Our old friend Mike Singer has joined the Nuggets front office. A good addition? Or a great addition? 

+ The fellas draft all 30 NBA teams based upon how many wins they think each team will finish with.

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene with Russell Westbrook expected to soon join Denver in free agency. Among the topics discussed:

+ Russell Westbrook is bound to be a Mile High favorite, but does he have enough left at nearly 36 years old to help the Nuggets return to the NBA Finals? Ideally, who can play alongside Westbrook on the second unit?

+ Has the Nuggets’ starting five taken a step back this season with the loss of KCP? Are they deeper now than they were a year ago?

+ Rookie DaRon Holmes II ruptured an Achilles tendon in his first Summer League game. How much does this injury hurt Denver's plans? And what else can be gleaned from the Nuggets' performances in Las Vegas?

+ The Paris Olympics are almost here. Who is most likely to bring back a medal: Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray?

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after NBA free agency opens and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leaves for Orlando. Among the topics discussed:

+ Now that KCP has left the Nuggets for the Orlando Magic on a three-year deal, where does that leave Denver? Is Christian Braun ready for a bigger role? How will his exit cascade down through the rest of the roster?

+ There's been rumors about the Nuggets kicking the tires on Russell Westbrook as a possible addition. Would he be a good fit in Denver? Is Jamal Murray signing an extension?

+ Did Calvin Booth give up too much draft capital to move up and acquire DaRon Holmes with the 22nd overall pick of the NBA draft? How will Holmes slot into the lineup? Should Nuggets fans be worried that Booth has traded away so many picks, including the two second-rounders he had to send Charlotte to get off Reggie Jackson's salary?

+ Who has improved the most early on in free agency? Are the Oklahoma City Thunder suddenly the no-doubt favorites in the Western Conference?

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after the Boston Celtics took down the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Among the topics discussed:

+ How good are the 2023-24 Boston Celtics after capping off a dominant title run? Did the voters get it right giving the Finals MVP to Jaylen Brown over Jayson Tatum?

+ As the Nuggets continue to bring in draft prospects for visits, are there any names emerging for Denver's first-round pick? There's a lot of smoke with Dayton big man DaRon Holmes II. Could it be that the Nuggets made him a promise? Or might they be looking for a backup PG?

+ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's decision on opting out of the final year of his contract is coming up. Will the Nuggets guard wait until the last minute to make his decision?

+ Matt, Bennett and AAron draft the past 15 NBA champions to determine which teams rise to the top.

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene a day before the NBA Finals with plenty to talk about. Among the topics discussed:

+ The NBA Finals are here, with the Dallas Mavericks set to face the Boston Celtics. Is Luka Doncic the truth? Could he take the World's Best Basketball Player title from Nikola Jokic if he beats the Celtics in the Finals?

+ The fellas hold a quick and informal draft of the top players in the NBA Finals. How many of the top eight players are Celtics? And who ultimately wins the series?

+ Looking ahead to free agency: Who is likely and who is completely unlikely to join the Nuggets this summer? Does Denver have any chance of bringing an impact player into the fold without trading one of its marquee starters?

+ Is Jayson Tatum a top-five player? Is Joel Embiid still in the conversation?

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel