The Denver Nuggets may be feeling the consequences of their offseason decision to part ways with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a player instrumental in their 2023 championship run. Caldwell-Pope’s departure has left the Nuggets with a noticeable gap in backcourt defense, a shortfall that head coach Michael Malone openly lamented following Denver’s recent 114-118 preseason loss to the Phoenix Suns. This marked their third straight preseason defeat, and Malone was clear about what went wrong.
“They outscored us by 33 points from the 3-point line. We dominated the glass, dominated the paint, but got our ass kicked from 3,” Malone said. “We gave up 37 points in that third quarter; it was embarrassing.” His frustration highlights the absence of Caldwell-Pope, one of the league’s most respected perimeter defenders. Known for his defensive prowess, Caldwell-Pope’s impact is being felt keenly as the Nuggets struggle to find balance on both ends of the court.
While star center Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets’ frontcourt continue to anchor the team in rim protection and rebounding, the backcourt’s struggles from beyond the arc reveal a critical vulnerability. With Caldwell-Pope now gone, the pressure is on the Nuggets to either adjust their defensive strategy or find a way to make up for his absence in time for the regular season.
