Who Could Be The Next Team In Colorado To Win A Championship?

By Jordan Long

The Denver Nuggets, as we all know, won the 2023 NBA Championship.  This got me thinking, who could be the next team in Colorado to win a championship.

            The Denver Nuggets are going to be a top team next season.  The core of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr are all signed through the 2025 season.  Aaron Gordon’s contract has a player option for 2026.  Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who is also another key starter is under contract for next year but has a player option for 2025.

            When it comes to the bench, Christian Braun is a rookie who will stay in Denver at least until 2026.  Looking at that, Denver has a great chance to repeat.  The thing about the Nuggets though is they still need to upgrade the bench.  Bruce Brown is key to keep since he is most likely going to opt out of his current deal and become a free agent.  Brown wants to stay but money is the issue.   

The Nuggets are the favorites to repeat.  Then again, it’s so hard to repeat as champions in the NBA.  The Western Conference is going to be tough with the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors.  In the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers are title contenders as well.

            The Colorado Avalanche were a disappointment this season.  They were beaten by the Seattle Kraken in game 7 of the first-round.  The Avalanche though are going to be a top team in the Western Conference next season.  They have some great talent coming back who can score and keep them in games.  These are forwards Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin, Mikko Rantanen, Artturi Lehkonen, and Logan O’Connor.  Defensively, Josh Manson, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews are going to be back.  These skaters will keep the Avalanche in games.   The Avalanche need to find even more talent for secondary scoring in the offseason.

            There are two problems with the Avalanche. First is captain Gabriel Landeskog will be out for the whole 2023-2024 season.  He had a cartilage transplant in his right knee.  The Avalanche will miss his leadership.  Players stepped up last year and will have to do it once again.

            The second is goaltending.  Starter Alexandra Georgiev was impressive during the regular season with a record of 40-16-6 and a goals against average of 2.53.  His save percentage stood at .919.  Those numbers will carry Colorado to the postseason.  In the playoffs though, he needs to play better for the Avalanche to win a Cup.  He put up great numbers in the playoff series loss to Seattle with a goals against average of 2.60 and a save percentage of .914.  Colorado has a chance to win a Cup next year as long as Georgiev can get hot in the net.

            The Denver Broncos are looking to improve this season.  They have missed the playoffs every year since they won Super Bowl 50.   Denver of course has new Head Coach, Sean Payton. Payton is trying to build a winning team with Denver.  The Broncos are going to have a great defense. 

            Sure, defenses win championships but the only way for Denver to compete for a Super Bowl is offense. It starts with Russell Wilson.  He must not be a turnover machine like last year, throwing 11 interceptions.  Finding his receivers is key.  If Denver’s offense is improved, they will have a chance.  

            The reason they may not win it all comes down to their division.  Kansas City is the Super Bowl Champion.  Their quarterback is Patrick Mahomes.  With him under center, it will be difficult for the Broncos to knock them off in the division.  The Chargers are going to be in the conversation as well.  It could be a few years before the Broncos are Super Bowl contenders.

            The last professional team in Denver is the Rockies.  They most likely won’t win a World Series this year.  They stand at 29-40, 13 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for first place in the National League West Division.  In the Wild Card race, they are 7 games back of the San Francisco Giants for the final spot.

            The Rockies have been doomed by pitching. The total team ERA right now for the Rockies is 5.12.  The Rockies starters aren’t keeping them in games with an ERA of 5.74.  The relievers’ ERA is 4.47.  Anyway, you draw it up, the Rockies won’t compete because of their pitching.

            In the end, the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche have the best chance to be champions in Colorado and host the next parade.  The Rockies and the Broncos have work to do if they want to win a title in the Mile High City.