As the Western Conference Finals unfold between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, Nuggets fans across Denver are left watching with a familiar mix of admiration and unease. The uncomfortable truth is becoming impossible to ignore: the defending champions from a few seasons ago simply do not possess the depth required to hang with the new powerhouses of the West.
The ongoing Thunder-Spurs series has been a tightly contested battle, dead even through several games. Yet it could easily have tilted decisively toward the reigning champions had it not been for a double-overtime loss in Game 1. That victory for San Antonio required a heroic performance from Victor Wembanyama, who delivered a monster stat line of 41 points, 24 rebounds, and three blocks to steal the win.
Depth Defines the Conference Finals
What has stood out most in this series is the frightening depth of the Oklahoma City Thunder. With two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander orchestrating the offense, the Thunder boast a supporting cast capable of exploding for double-digit scoring on any given night. In the first three games, OKC’s reserves averaged a staggering 61.0 points per game off the bench — a level of secondary production that few teams in the league can match.
The Spurs, to their credit, have built a strong complementary roster around the transcendent Wembanyama. Their supporting pieces showed up strongly in Game 4, contributing to a convincing 21-point victory. Even in that game, however, Oklahoma City’s bench outscored San Antonio’s 34-30. The difference came down to elite defense from the No. 2 seed, which limited OKC to just 82 points.
For the Nuggets, the contrast is stark and unflattering. Watching the bench performances in these Western Conference Finals has brutally exposed Denver’s clearest Achilles’ heel before the series even tipped off in earnest.
The Nuggets’ Nagging Disadvantage
Denver still possesses one of the most formidable Big 3s in the NBA. Nikola Jokic remains a generational talent, while Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon form a dangerous supporting duo — provided Murray rediscovers his elite playoff form and Gordon remains healthy. That trio is as good as any in basketball when clicking on all cylinders.
The problem lies beyond those three stars. The rest of the roster has struggled with consistency, and injury issues have plagued key rotation players far more than the organization would prefer. In a grueling seven-game series against either the Thunder or Spurs, this lack of reliable depth would likely prove fatal.
While Oklahoma City’s bench can shoulder massive scoring loads and San Antonio’s role players have shown they can step up in big moments, the Nuggets have no comparable safety net. Their margin for error is razor-thin.
A Slim Pathway Forward
Improving the roster this offseason sounds straightforward in theory but faces significant practical hurdles. The Nuggets are severely limited by a lack of cap space for major moves. Adding complexity is the impending restricted free agency of Peyton Watson, a situation that risks pushing Denver deeper into luxury tax territory.
The front office faces a difficult choice. Running it back with largely the same group and banking on internal development from younger players is one option — but it’s a risky bet given the rapid ascension of OKC and San Antonio. Alternatively, taking a gap year to sort out financial flexibility carries its own dangers. At 31 years old, Jokic’s championship window is narrowing with each passing season. A prolonged rebuild is not a viable long-term strategy.
The Western Conference — and potentially the entire NBA — appears poised to be dominated by the Thunder and Spurs for years to come. Their combination of superstar talent and exceptional depth creates a stranglehold that will be incredibly difficult to break.
For the Nuggets, the bombshell has already landed. Their bench disadvantage was laid bare before this Conference Finals even tipped off. Now, Denver’s front office must find a way to respond decisively before the championship window closes for good.