In the modern NBA, not much remains consistent. Superstar players jump from team to team more than ever before, and role players are even less likely to remain with the same team long term. The Denver Nuggets have been the exception to this rule, as they've had more continuity than almost any other team over the years.
Denver has been led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray for over a decade now. Furthermore, Aaron Gordon has been a staple of the starting lineup. Christian Braun and Cam Johnson round out what is one of the best starting fives in the NBA. In all likelihood, that won't ever change during the 2026-27 season. It has always been the bench that has given Denver fits.
Even so, the Nuggets are a few years removed from their championship victory now, so if things aren't going right for the Nuggets, a starting lineup change can't be ruled out. So, which starter would be at risk of being demoted to the bench?
Cam Johnson, not Christian Braun is the most likely Nugget to be benched
Braun has been a winner throughout his basketball career. He racked up state championships in high school, he won a national title at Kansas, and he contributed as a rookie toward Denver's NBA Finals victory. The shooting guard is a quality defender and a great athlete who thrives in transition and as a slasher.
Article Continues BelowHowever, much of Nuggets nation has turned on Braun because he is signed to a massive, $125 million contract. That deal has played a big part in Denver's financial woes. Plus, Braun's ineffectiveness from deep has held the Nuggets back at times. Many Nuggets fans view Braun as the most replaceable starter, but that isn't necessarily the case.
For starters, Braun is glued to a long-term contract, one that seems unlikely to be moved in a trade. Johnson, meanwhile, will be a free agent at season's end. Furthermore, Braun's defense is of the utmost importance in Denver's starting lineup, not only because the team's two best players aren't known stoppers, but because Peyton Watson was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, too.
Braun can thrive as a fourth or fifth option in a great starting lineup where he isn't asked to do too much. The Kansas product can run in transition and cut to the basket, where he will receive passes from the always-facilitating Jokic. What Braun does best wouldn't work as well on a poorer second unit.
Johnson, meanwhile, could provide more playmaking, scoring, and shooting to the second unit. A starting lineup change would likely only come if the Nuggets decided to make DeMar DeRozan a starter. The six-time All-Star has started 1,252 of his 1,264 career games. However, DeRozan seems likely to take on a sixth-man spark plug role going forward.
In all likelihood, the starting unit in Denver wouldn't need the scoring boost that DeRozan could provide. The first five guys to see the court will likely remain the same all season long, barring an injury. If a change does happen, though, it might not be the one most Nuggets fans would first predict.