Finally, things are looking upward for the team from the Mile-High City.

Steered by one of the better young coaches in the league in Mike Malone, the Denver Nuggets are slowly putting themselves in a position to fight for a playoff berth in a few years time.

They got a decent amount of veterans to patrol the youth movement. Emmanuel Mudiay, Nikola Jokic, Jusuf Nurkic, Gary Harris, and Jamal Murray are the players whom Nuggets fans can bank on to provide excitement, possibly, in the near future.

Article Continues Below
More Denver Nuggets News
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) controls the ball in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena.
Nuggets rumors: Russell Westbrook to get massive contract offer from surprise teamTroy Finnegan ·
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) watches the final minutes of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder from the bench in the fourth quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
DeMarcus Cousins reveals NBA’s major issue with Nuggets’ Nikola JokicJackson Stone ·
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) runs down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Nikola Jokic’s wild ‘Joker’ origin story from Mike MillerBenedetto Vitale ·
Serbia and Denver Nuggets power forward Nikola Jokic (15) celebrates on the podium with teammates after winning the bronze medal in men's basketball during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena.
Novak Djokovic shuts down ‘fake’ Nikola Jokic narrativeTroy Finnegan ·
Denver Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game six of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena.
David Adelman parts ways with several key members of Nuggets’ coaching staffTroy Finnegan ·
Denver Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke (left) and president Josh Kroenke (right) during the championship parade after the Denver Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Finals
Josh Kroenke puts his foot down on potential Nuggets ‘cultural reset’Rachel Strand ·

But before this team reaches that point, coach Malone understands that there will be turbulence – a lot of it. In an interview with Matt Moore of CBS Sports, the tough-minded tactician talked about how he’ll have to stomach in all the loses, as much as he hates them.

“We have a young team, for sure. I hate to lose. I’m competitive. I go into every game truly expecting to win. My expectation, going into every game because we’re prepared, we’ve got everything down, is to win.”

“But at the same time, I’ve got to do a better job of not taking losses so hard. It’s a long year. I have to be able to take a deep breath. If we come back young, or younger, I’m ready.”

A lot of patience will be asked of him, for sure. And the young Nuggets are in good hands.