3 players of the Denver Nuggets expected to deliver big in the 2021-22 NBA season

The Denver Nuggets had quite a run in the 2020-21 NBA season, finishing 2nd in the Northwest Division and placing 3rd in the Western Conference with a 47-25 record. They went against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs and defeated them in a 4-2 series victory, but lost to the Phoenix Suns in a clean sweep.

The Denver Nuggets had a poor outing during the preseason, losing 4 out of 5 games played and only managing a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in their final preseason game. In a few days, they will take on the Phoenix Suns in their first game of the regular season.

Let's take a look at the key players who will be critical for the Nuggets in the coming season.

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3 players that would be key for the Denver Nuggets in the 2021-22 NBA season

#1. Michael Porter Jr.

Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets shoots a three point shot against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter at Ball Arena on October 8, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.

Michael Porter Jr. got drafted into the NBA as the No. 14 overall pick as selected by the Denver Nuggets in the 2018 NBA draft. The small forward had to sit out the 2018-19 NBA season due to a back injury and as such couldn't make his debut in his draft year. Upon recovery, he made his debut in the 2019-20 season and has since then been growing his game and becoming more reliable.

Porter Jr. showed his phenomenal ability to shoot last season, registering an average of 19 points with a field goal accuracy of 54.2%. But what really caught the eye was his ability to shoot beyond the arc, he led the Denver Nuggets in 3-points, recording a career-high 2.8 3-points per game and a 3-point percentage of 44.5%. He ranked second in rebounds and blocks, third in points, free throws and field goals.

He is expected to improve in a trajectory manner that will reflect his numbers and might see him finish the 2021-22 NBA season in double digits in points and rebounds.

#2. Nah'Shon Hyland

Nah'Shon Hyland of the Denver Nuggets poses for a photo during the 2021 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 15, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nah'Shon Hyland was selected in the 2021 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets as the 26th overall pick and hopes to debut this new season for the Nuggets. The 21-year old played for the Virginia Community University basketball team and the VCU Rams before getting drafted and was the Atlantic's 10th Player of the Year.

With Jamal Murray still recovering from a torn ACL and no clear timeline as to when he can return to the court, the Nuggets will need a shooter and Hyland is just that, a good shooter. He was given a good amount of playing time in the preseason and he took the opportunity to announce himself to the fans and the franchise the type of player he is.

Hyland recorded 21 points on 7-of-13 from the field in the third preseason game for the Denver Nuggets, while also registering 8 rebounds and 4 assists. This was the most points scored by a player from either team, he also netted the most 3-points with an accuracy of 50%. If given the opportunity, Hyland will impact the Nuggets game tremendously.

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#3. Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets walks off the court after having a word with Cameron Payne #15 of the Phoenix Suns after Jokic was ejected from the game in Game Four of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena on June 13, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.

Nikola Jokic ended the previous season as the 2021 NBA Most Valuable Player, averaging 26.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game in the previous season.

He led the league in field goals and 2-point field goals, and the Denver Nuggets in points, rebounds, assists, steals, field goals and free throws. He is expected to do that and much more in the coming season.

The Joker featured in three out of five games in the preseason and led the team in rebounds in all three and in points in two of the three. He scored 22 points in game 4 of the preseason fixtures, 12 rebounds and five assists.

Jokic will look to have yet another dominating run for the Denver Nuggets in the 2020-21 NBA season as he is the favorite to lead the league in assists.