Previous teams in the series: Hawks | Nets | Clippers | Timberwolves | Jazz | Hornets | Kings | Pacers | Magic | Suns | Knicks | Grizzlies | Raptors | Mavericks | Celtics | Pelicans | 76ers | Spurs | Blazers | Bucks

A look at the key offseason moves and changes for every team in the league. Next up are the Denver Nuggets.

OFFSEASON ADDITIONS

Free agents

Mike Miller

Darrell Arthur

Nate Wolters

D.J. Kennedy

Draft

Jamal Murray

Juan Hernangomez

Malik Beasley

THE REWIND

Continued building through the draft

The Nuggets faced a dilemma many teams wouldn’t mind with three first-round picks and $20 million-plus in cap space.

With nine players under contract, including former draft picks Emmanuel Mudiay, Gary Harris, Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic, Nuggets management faced a numbers crunch with the current roster.

Would Denver go the draft-and-stash route with at least two of their picks and focus on free agency with the cap space? Or would Denver prioritize the draft and focus on developing young talent?

When free agency ended, first-round picks Jamal Murray, Juan Hernangomez and Malik Beasley were on the Nuggets’ roster.

With depth at each position, Denver – without an NBA Development League team – will focus on their development and not worry about finding them immediate roles off the bench.

Roster continuity

With coach Michael Malone back for a second season and the core group returning, Denver was focused in retaining its own veteran free agents to maintain stability.

Although box scores don’t show the impact of Mike Miller and Darrell Arthur, their mentorship and influence in the locker room are vital for a young team.

When camp opens, Denver will return 14 out of 15 players, not including this year’s draft picks.

Testing the free-agent waters

Even with a heavy emphasis building thought the draft and shrewd trades, the Nuggets showed a willingness to dive into free agency.

With future Hall of Fame guard Dwyane Wade weighing his options, Denver joined a handful of teams in getting an audience with Wade.

Although Wade eventually signed with Chicago, the free-agent meeting should serve as a rehearsal for the Nuggets’ free agency next summer.

CAP BREAKDOWN

Player 2016

1. Danilo Gallinari $15,000,000

2. Kenneth Faried $12,078,652

3. Wilson Chandler $11,233,146

4. Darrell Arthur $8,070,175

5. Jameer Nelson $4,540,525

6. Will Barton $3,533,333

7. Mike Miller $3,500,000

8. Emmanuel Mudiay $3,241,800

9. Jamal Murray $3,210,840

10. Juan Hernangomez $1,987,440

11. Jusuf Nurkic $1,921,320

12. Gary Harris $1,655,880

13. Malik Beasley $1,627,320

14. Nikola Jokic $1,358,500

Story continues