In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene following DaRon Holmes II's glorious return to NBA Summer League. Among the topics discussed:

+ Nikola Jokic caused a stir in NBA circles by ... doing nothing?! Denver's MVP center became extension-eligible last week but declined to sign on the dotted line, according to league sources. Here's why Nuggets fans need not freak out — yet.

+ Jonas Valanciunas caused a stir in NBA circles by ... visiting Greece?! The recently acquired backup to Jokic was offered a three-year contract by EuroLeague power Panathinaikos, and Valanciunas signaled mutual interest by visiting Greece. Yet the Nuggets hold all the cards. What happens next?

+ Nuggets big man DaRon Holmes II returned to NBA Summer League a year after rupturing an Achilles tendon at the very same venue. How did the second-year player look? And how might he slot into what's becoming a deep Nuggets rotation?

+ With the Cam Johnson-MPJ trade now complete, the fellas ponder if the Nuggets might now have a better starting five than when the franchise won the NBA title in 2023.

What's Denver's best public park? You better believe the fellas have some opinions.

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 three days after the stunning trade of Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets. Among the topics discussed:

+ The Nuggets' two-man brain trust turned Porter's salary into four players: Cam Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. How in the world did they pull this off? And how long had executives Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace been mapping this out?

+ How much better does this make the Nuggets? What will the rotation look like come October? And how many of these players will actually be able to give the Nuggets depth in the postseason?

+In light of the first two weeks of the Tenzer-Wallace era, what's the confidence in this setup working going forward? Could other moves be made? Could these wizards find a way to dump Zeke Nnaji's contract, too? Maybe cure cancer?

+ Ranking the contenders after free agency and the draft: The boys all provide their our own Top 10 following player acquisition season.

+ Loose ends: Thoughts on the NBA Finals and the tragedy that was Tyrese Haliburton's Game 7 injury.

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 the NBA Finals on tap. Among the topics discussed:

+ Speaking to reporters twice in the span of a few weeks, Nuggets President and Governor Josh Kroenke made it clear he thinks the answers to Denver's problems are internal. Then he backed that up by officially hiring interim coach David Adelman as head coach. How much pressure does that put on Adelman to get the team back to title contention?

+ Do Kroenke's words mean we can expect another internal hire for the general manager opening? Who might that be? When will that decision be made? And who are some of the bargain free agents they can target?

+ Are the Nuggets about to become a half-court team with a totally remade defensive strategy? Changes to the coaching staff seem to indicate that while there is an emphasis on maintaining the status quo, things won't be entirely the same schematically.

+ Bennett and Matt give an assessment of each of the Nuggets on the roster. Is their stock up, down or holding steady? And what does that mean for their future in Denver?

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 Denver's elimination from the NBA Playoffs. Among the topics discussed:

+ The Nuggets' season not-so-mercifully came to an end in a Game 7 blowout loss at the Oklahoma City Thunder. What was the biggest culprit in their demise? Did the Thunder's cynical approach to overtly physical defense finally break Nikola Jokic? Did Denver even stand a chance after all of the injuries and its relative lack of depth?

+ How did the Nuggets get here? Who is ultimately responsible for their second consecutive exit in the Western Conference semifinals? Is this all on former general manager Calvin Booth? What role did Michael Malone play in the team's inability to develop long-term depth? Is there even some blood on Tim Connelly's hands?

+ Now that the season is finished, where do the Nuggets go from here? Without any draft picks to add to the roster, are there moves that can be made to improve the roster or shake things up? What about trades? Could Michael Porter Jr. be on the trading block? What about Aaron Gordon or Jamal Murray? The fellas open up the trade machine to dive into a few possibilities.

+ Did David Adelman do enough to take over as head coach for the 2025-26 season? Will the Nuggets opt to promote from within to fill both that opening and then one for general manager?

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 Denver's Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Among the topics discussed:

+ Game 4 reactions: The worst first quarter in the history of baskets or balls? Yes.

+ What's to blame for the poor start? Tired legs? The 36-hour crunch between games? Both?

+ What's wrong with Nikola Jokic? Another tough outing has some wondering if the arm sleeve is thinly concealing a nagging injury. The 3-point and free throw lines weigh in.

+ Conversely, has anyone done more to elevate their stock than Aaron Gordon in these NBA Playoffs? Could the Nuggets ever consider trading a player who's cemented his status as one of the most beloved players on the team?

+ What do the Nuggets need to do to survive the Thunder and advance to the Western Conference Finals?

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 Denver's stunning Game 1 comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Among the topics discussed:

+ The Nuggets rallied from 13 points down in the fourth quarter to take down Oklahoma City on its home court in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series. How did the Nuggets pull it off? And how does the ball keep finding Aaron Gordon in these clutch moments?

+ How much did coaching decisions play into the dramatic final minutes of the game? Did Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault err in sticking with his fouling strategy with Nikola Jokic off the court? Was it wise to extend the game with his team leading by three in the final seconds?

+ Is there any doubt about Nikola Jokic's MVP bona fides after his heroic Game 1 performance?

+ Russell Westbrook continues to shine in the playoffs. Is this version of the Russ fans should expect to see as the series ramps up?

+ What is the legacy of the Nuggets' series win over the Clippers? Who gained the most from those seven games? And what does it say about Denver that it's advanced to the second round of the NBA Playoffs six times in seven years?

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 heads to Los Angeles for Game 3 of its first-round NBA Playoffs series against the Clippers. Among the topics discussed:

+ Two games into the series and things are deadlocked in more ways than one. Total score: 215-214, Clippers. Total turnovers: 31-31. Games won: 1-1. So who has the edge ahead of Game 3? Should we expect more of the same in Los Angeles?

+ Kawhi Leonard torched the Nuggets for 39 points on 15-of-19 shooting in Game 2. What can Denver do to slow down the Clippers' superstar as the series shifts to L.A.?

+ Is Nikola Jokic hurt? The Nuggets big man has struggled from the free-throw line and even threw a sleeve on his arm midway through Game 2. What can interim head coach David Adelman do to get his superstar untracked?

+ Michael Porter Jr. responded to a Game 1 dud with a much better performance in Game 2, yet a costly end-of-game turnover left him blaming himself for the loss. The veteran forward also revealed his breaking in a new brace on his foot. What does that mean going forward?

+ More: Is Christian Braun lacking aggression or are the Clippers simply limiting what he does well? Russell Westbrook keeps hitting big shots ... and doing other things. Are the pros outweighing the cons? Is David Adelman holding his how against Ty Lue? How impressive was Jamal Murray's UFC-style hoisting of Norman Powell? And why was he wearing a long-sleeve undershirt?

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 prepares to face the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Playoffs. Among the topics discussed:

+ The Nuggets closed out the regular season 3-0 under interim head coach David Adelman. What's the vibe around the team been since the firing of Michael Malone and Calvin Booth? Was it the right call to turn to Adelman?

+ Awaiting the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs? The red-hot Los Angeles Clippers. How do they match up against a Los Angeles roster that appears deeper and more talented? Who holds the edge on the perimeter? In the paint? Could Adelman provide a measure of unpredictability that gives Denver an advantage?

+ A break down the rest of the matchups in the Western Conference, including a fun one on the opposite side of the bracket between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Where does Clippers wing Kawhi Leonard rank among the scariest individual playoff performers in the field? The fellas pull off an impromptu draft.

+ How did Bennett's NBA awards ballot go? Did Nikola Jokic earn his MVP vote? All is revealed.

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 hours after the stunning firings of Michael Malone and Calvin Booth. Among the topics discussed:

+ Why now? Why did team president and owner Josh Kroenke fire his head coach and top executive with just three games left in the regular season and the Nuggets in the middle of a playoff race?

+ Was there any indication this was about to happen? Is the franchise throwing in the towel on the season? How will this impact the Nuggets as they chase a second championship in three seasons?

+ What is the plan moving forward? What does this mean for the rest of the roster? Who's safe? Who could be on their way out? And who might the Kroenkes pick to turn things around?

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 a pair of Denver losses. Among the topics discussed:

+ The Nuggets emptied the tank in an effort to end a five-game skid vs. Minnesota, with Nikola Jokic putting up a 61-point triple-double. Yet after Russell Westbrook's regrettable 14 seconds, Denver dropped that game and another to the Spurs with their starters watching from the bench. Was it worth the gamble? Are there positives that can be taken from the double OT loss?

+ The No. 2 seed now looks like a distant dream for Denver. And the No. 3 is no guarantee either. With a muddled mess below Oklahoma City and Houston in the West, who do the Nuggets most want to see in the first round?

+ What confidence level do the boys have in the Nuggets' key players? The fellas hash it out in the second half of the podcast with the NBA playoffs looming in a couple of weeks.

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel