George Karl warns Nuggets about not improving team around Nikola Jokic: "Might be messing with basketball gods" 

The Denver Nuggets' lack of activity this offseason to improve around Nikola Jokic seems to have caught former coach George Karl's attention. The Hall of Famer doesn't seem impressed with it, like the rest of the fanbase. Karl seemingly called out Denver's front office for it on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday.

"If you have one of the potential Top 10 players ever on your team and you’re not doing all you can to help him win more championships, you might be messing with the Basketball Gods."

George Karl indirectly referred to Nikola Jokic as one of the potential 10 best basketball players ever. He feels the Nuggets have let Jokic down by not adding new pieces while losing key ones in free agency. Last year, the team couldn't re-sign sixth man Bruce Brown Jr.

This offseason, it's another veteran defensive stalwart they let go, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. KCP was integral to the team's 2023 championship run. He brought the championship experience and was crucial to their schemes as the starting two-guard.

He often defended the opposing team's best perimeter players and knocked down 3-point shots at a reliable rate. KCP shot 40.6% this past season from deep and 42.4%in the 2022-23 season.

The Denver Nuggets never offered him a new deal, sealing his eventual departure to the Orlando Magic. Denver also didn't replace him with a viable option, relying on third-year guard Christian Braun to fill Caldwell-Pope's shoes.

Moreover, the Nuggets also salary dumped one of their more reliable bench scorers, Reggie Jackson.

The Nuggets were among the offseason losers for another year, seemingly downgrading their roster around superstar and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

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Nuggets still have options to improve team around Nikola Jokic

The offseason might not be done for the Nuggets just yet. They've lost out on multiple players, including rookie DaRon Holmes II, who tore his right Achilles tendon in his Summer League debut. Holmes was presumably a plug-and-play draftee. However, with him reportedly out for the season, Denver will have to rethink its plans this offseason.

The options are limited, but they are viable. For starters, they could look to secure free agent guard Gary Trent Jr.'s services. The veteran guard would be a direct replacement for the departed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Trent Jr. doesn't seem to have much of a market, so the Nuggets could pursue and lure him as one of the teams with a contender status.

Another option the Nuggets must pursue is Russell Westbrook, who is reportedly available via trade. Nikola Jokic reportedly has let the front office know about his desire to team up with the NBA's all-time triple-double leader. Westbrook would be a direct replacement for Reggie Jackson.