ceiling is completely driven by their ability to play better defense. Their defense isn’t horrible; it’s average … so that’s where they need to improve if they want to win a title. I think that’s a fairly well accepted perspective that the players and coaches alike would endorse.
Nuggets defensive rating the last 5 years
2021: 13th
2020: 16th
2019: 9th
2018: 11th
2017: 29th
Again … not meant as an insult. It’s just an area where they need to improve. If they can become a top-5 defense, they have a legitimate shot. If they stay in the middle of the pack (or 10-15 range), they will win a lot of games, but never contend for a title.