Key member of Denver Nuggets 2023 championship run credits LA Lakers for failed 2024 title defense :“Felt like they should have beat us”

After winning the NBA title in 2023, the Denver Nuggets were viewed as a threat to repeat last season. They ended up falling short of this goal, and one member of the team recently gave his thoughts as to why.

During a recent appearance on "The Draymond Green Show," Kentavious Caldwell-Pope opened up about the last few years of his career. He's had the chance to play alongside numerous star-level players and add a pair of championships to his resume.

While talking with Green, Caldwell-Pope was asked about the Denver Nuggets failing to defend their title last season. The veteran wing credited the LA Lakers, saying the series took a lot out of them.

"We get to the playoffs, we have no gas," Caldwell-Pope said. "We felt like the Lakers should have beat us. We were down every game."

The Nuggets were able to get past the Lakers in round one, winning in five games. However, their playoff run didn't last much longer. They'd end up getting eliminated in the semi-final round against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Caldwell-Pope said the team was gassed from going so hard at the end of the regular season. In the final weeks, they were battling the Timberwolves and OKC Thunder for the top spot in the Western Conference standings.

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Denver Nuggets getting some reinforcements after losing another key player

Since winning a championship in 2023, the Denver Nuggets have lost numerous key members of their supporting cast. Following recent developments, they are on track to get some much-needed reinforcements.

The most recent player to depart from the Nuggets is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. After declining his option, he inked a multi-year deal to join the Orlando Magic. He joins the likes of Bruce Brown and Jeff Green to go elsewhere since winning a championship.

As players continue to depart, the Denver Nuggets haven't done much in terms of finding suitable replacements. That is expected to change soon, with Russell Westbrook reportedly joining the team once he's waived by the Utah Jazz.

Westbrook isn't the All-Star guard he once was, but is still capable of providing a boost in the right role. Last season with the LA Clippers, he averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists off the bench.

With their core of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. still there, the Nuggets are going to be a threat to contend in the Western Conference. Bringing in a spark plug like Westbrook should aid them in their quest for another title. Along with providing energy off the bench, his do-it-all play can help in the time the stars are on the bench.