Team Overview

Offensive
108.7 (5)

Defensive
104.7 (16)

Under contract
G Arron Afflalo
F/C Chris Andersen
F Carmelo Anthony
F Renaldo Balkman
G Chauncey Billups
C Brian Butch
G Coby Karl
G Ty Lawson
C Nene
G J.R. Smith

Free agents
F Malik Allen (unrestricted)
G Anthony Carter (unrestricted)
F/G Joey Graham (unrestricted)
F Kenyon Martin (ETO)
C Johan Petro (unrestricted)

Areas of Strength:
Melo is one of the league's ultimate mismatches, a deadly combination of size, strength and tenacity. Billups, 34 before next season, is getting up there, but remains a top-notch floor general.

Needs Work:
Concentration and attention to detail waned without George Karl. A team built with beating the Lakers in mind lost its way, bringing those old questions about maturity back in play.

Two Stats That Matter:
7 -- Consecutive playoff appearances, third to only San Antonio and Dallas

47.7 -- Combined scoring average of Anthony and Billups, second among league duos

The way to go:
Free agency and trades are the best vehicles to upgrade since the Nuggets don't own a pick in either round. (Memphis has the first-rounder and the Clippers have the second.) Whether or not Denver decides to trade into the Draft, the offseason priority is finding scoring help on the wing. The unpredictable Smith took a step back this past season shooting the ball and Afflalo is a defensive specialist. Adding size is also key considering the iffy health situations of Martin and Nene. With most of the free agents not priorities to bring back, infusing the roster with youth is also a strong possibility.