The Denver Nuggets ultimately passed on making a serious offer to the Houston Rockets for James Harden and appear to be in the same mode now of seeking internal improvement to take the next step in their pursuit of a title.

Sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic that "the Nuggets' focus at the moment is on improving this group as it's currently constructed."

While Nikola Jokic has been an MVP candidate and Jamal Murray has been inconsistent, Denver's future could be tied to the improvements made by Michael Porter Jr. 

Jokic has played more of a leadership role for the Nuggets of late, particularly with Porter.