7 Best Denver Nuggets Players of All Time

The Denver Nuggets won their first NBA championship in 2023 over the Miami Heat to finally get off the list of NBA teams that have never won a championship. It’s also why they’ll be a favourite option when it comes to NBA betting for years to come.

The Nuggets are known to possess some of the best scorers the league has ever seen. Let’s look at the best of them.

Best Denver Nuggets Players of All Time

1. Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic was just the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, but he has since won a championship and earned Finals MVP honours, two MVP Awards, and five All-NBA Team selections.

“The Joker” is just such a dominant scorer in the post and from mid-range, and because of how much attention he attracts, he has also mastered the art of breaking down defences and finding his open teammates for easy looks.

Nikola Jokic had FULL COMMAND of the floor tonight in the Nuggets' dominating 142-105 win!

🃏 26 PTS (11/11 FGM)
🃏 14 REB
🃏 10 AST

The Joker joins Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to record a triple-double on 100% shooting (Min. 10 FGA) in multiple games. pic.twitter.com/KS0v6Wh9gY

— NBA (@NBA) December 29, 2023

Jokic is rapidly moving up the all-time triple-doubles list, and when all is said and done, he could end up being the all-time leader in that category.

2. Alex English 

Alex English had a terrific run in Denver, averaging 25.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game during his time there.

English led the Nuggets as far as the Western Conference Finals in 1985 before losing to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in five games.

English has the most points, field goals, games played, second-most assists, and third-most steals in franchise history.

3. David Thompson

David Thompson started his career in the ABA, leading the Nuggets to the ABA Finals before losing to the New York Nets in six games.

Following his rookie season, Thompson and the Nuggets joined the NBA, as the fifth-leading scorer in franchise history provided similar numbers across the board for several more seasons.

Thompson scored 73 points against the Detroit Pistons on April 9, 1978.

4. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony has arguably the smoothest pull-up jumper I’ve ever seen, but it was also his ball-handling skills, ability to finish through contact, and overall athleticism that made him one of the most unstoppable scorers in NBA history.

CARMELO ANTHONY ON THE NUGGETS WAS DIFFERENT🏀🔥 pic.twitter.com/cbBP2DhzwA

— FYE CLIPS (sethy p) (@fyeclip2) December 10, 2023

Anthony took the Nuggets to the playoffs every year, leading them as far as the Western Conference Finals in 2009 before falling to the Lakers.

“Melo” earned four All-NBA Team nods while wearing a Nuggets uniform and has the third-most points and field goals in franchise history.

5. Dikembe Mutombo

Dikembe Mutombo immediately established himself as one of the premier shot blockers in the league, averaging at least three per game during his time in Denver.

30 years ago… Nuggets center Dikembe Mutombo blocked 12 shots vs. the Clippers! #NBAVault

DEN/LAC, 10pm/et, ESPN pic.twitter.com/xiP92gd1MC

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) January 13, 2023

Mutombo, affectionately known for wagging his finger after blocking a shot, earned his first of four Defensive Player of the Year Awards in 1995.

Mutombo has the most blocks and fourth-most rebounds in franchise history.

6. Lafayette “Fat” Lever

Fat Lever averaged 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game during his time with the Nuggets, earning All-NBA and All-Defensive Team recognition along the way.

Lever is one of five players to ever put up at least 15 points, rebounds and assists in a single playoff game.

Lever is the franchise’s all-time leader in steals and is third in assists, eighth in points, and 10th in rebounds.

7. Dan Issel

Dan Issel averaged 20.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists during his decade-long stay in the “Mile High City.”

Issel has the second-most points, field goals and rebounds and fourth-most steals in franchise history.