What to expect for the Nuggets this season and many more to come

DENVER (KDVR) — It has been quite the offseason for the Denver Nuggets.

They had several players forego a summer of rest to represent their countries in the Olympics, signed two stars to major contract extensions and experienced some significant roster changes which included losing a two-time NBA champion and adding a former MVP.

With the recent announcement from Kroenke Sports and Entertainment about the future of the development of Ball Arena and the Nuggets remaining in Denver until 2050, there is a lot for this organization and city to look forward to.

The Nuggets' upcoming 2024-25 season

The Nuggets begin their new season on Thursday at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The first game of the season usually has little consequence but it is always a good feeling to get the season started with a win. The timing of this game is not the important part, but rather the opponent.

The Thunder have the second-best odds of winning the NBA championship this year. The Thunder are in the Northwest Division with the Nuggets which means they will have to play each other four times. With championship ambitions of their own as the fifth-highest favorite, the Nuggets are going to have to send a message to this young Thunder team.

To make matters worse, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team that knocked the Nuggets out of the playoffs last year are also in the division. The Timberwolves have the sixth-best odds of winning the NBA title. There are very rarely three championship-caliber teams in one division and whoever wins the division could very well be the team that set themselves up for the best run in the postseason.

The championship window

The Nuggets are very invested in the "win now" philosophy. With one ring as a jumping point, they know that the next few years may be their best chance at building a dynasty.

Over the offseason, they penned two of their star players to major contract extensions. That will keep their core of stars containing Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. in Denver for three more seasons.

The organization's job now becomes finding the best pieces to put around this group of four and pushing for as much success as they can. Bringing in a former MVP, Russell Westbrook, in free agency shows that they are not opposed to making big moves to try and go all in for the foreseeable future.

Taking a look a long way down the road

While the Nuggets are in a prime position to succeed right now it is always smart to keep one eye on the future.

Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, the group that owns the Denver Nuggets and Ball Arena, announced that the team will remain in Denver through 2050. The announcement was dropped when Kroenke Sports revealed its plans to make Ball Arena and the surrounding area, a sports hub with a new neighborhood and community to be introduced in what is now the parking lots of the Ball Arena.

Kroenke Sports also owns the Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Mammoth who have both brought a championship to Ball Arena since its renaming.

The ownership group is dedicated to their Denver sports teams, making them the focal point of their future plans while integrating into the nearby community. The teams have repaid and spurred this effort with their recent success and will look to carry that momentum into the future and continue to expand the lore of their franchises and the city around them.