​When the Denver Nuggets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, we assumed huge team changes were on the horizon. For a franchise that employs an all-time great like Nikola Jokić, it seemed only natural that Denver would take a “gap year” of sorts as it tried to recalibrate a second championship window centered on the best player it’s ever had.Fast-forward two months, and that dramatic roster change no longer feels inevitable for Jokić and company. If anything, continuity appears to be precisely what the Nuggets will lean on instead. That’s also because continuity is their only choice.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt’s been over two weeks since this year’s NBA free agency period opened. Cam Johnson, Denver’s most tradeable asset because he’s a solid player on an expiring deal, remains a Nugget. Peyton Watson, despite some expected contract-negotiation snafus, feels more likely to get the money and term he wants from the Nuggets by the day. Jokić’s top running mate, Jamal Murray, still resides in the Mile High City because the Nuggets were reportedly only willing to trade him for a clear upgrade. The same can be said for Jokić’s best friend, the effective and versatile (but recently unhealthy) Aaron Gordon.As it stands, aside from the departures of sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. and backup center Jonas Valančiūnas, this is basically the same Denver roster that lost to the shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves in six games.It’s easy to connect the dots as to why.First off, I have to imagine Jokić’s stance about delaying his monster contract extension with the Nuggets until next summer has put a lot of uncomfortable pressure on the organization. The Nuggets likely felt more at ease about ducking the second tax apron, and perhaps even the luxury tax, when they knew Jokić, the cash cow that also keeps them relevant, was locked into their roster for the rest of his playing career. With Jokić instead waiting to put his signature on the dotted line for another full calendar year, the Nuggets could no longer afford to pinch pennies. Either pay for the best possible roster around one of the NBA’s premier players, or tick him off enough to leave in free agency next summer.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNo ifs, ands, or buts.Secondly, the reality of the trade market is probably not what the Nuggets expected. It’s nice to imagine salary-dumping Johnson, Murray, or who have you, while still remaining competitive. But that’s certainly not the sort of trade offers the Nuggets have received when teams around the league have asked about everyone but Jokić. If that were the case, they would’ve already made a deal. With Jokić squeezing the Nuggets, the last thing the Kroenke ownership family — which is the largest private landowner in the United States and also owns seven professional sports teams — could do is take a glaring loss on a trade just to save money they could ultimately afford to lose.I’ll give the Kroenkes credit