The Denver Nuggets are coming off a disappointing 2023-24 campaign since they failed to defend their NBA title. After winning it all the season before, Denver was eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round.
However, according to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Denver Nuggets deserved to be bounced by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round because they had “no gas” by the time the playoffs came.
“You know how, towards the playoffs, guys get their rest, but I feel like that’s where we spent most of our energy at times, trying to get that first place (spot in the West),” Caldwell-Pope said during his recent appearance on The Draymond Green Show.
“We were playing catch-up. And then, we get to the playoffs, we have no gas. We felt like the Lakers should’ve beat us. We was down every game—-at least 10 to, like, 20-something. Taking that energy and using it there. It was a lot that went into that season, no doubt,” he added.
The Denver Nuggets finished the 2023-24 regular season as the second seed behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, despite having an identical 57-25 record. They went 6-4 in their final 10 games before meeting the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.
Denver Nuggets move on from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
The Denver Nuggets had to let go of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this summer because of their complex salary cap situation. Although they had his Bird Rights, keeping Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who declined his $15.4 million player option, would put them over the dreaded second apron.
With career averages of 11.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 42.7 percent from the field and 36.9 from three-point range, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was one of the most sought-after free agents in the market.
The former Denver Nuggets guard is now with the Orlando Magic after signing a three-year, $66 million deal.