What happened: DeMar DeRozan joined the Denver Nuggets for a Year 18 Finals push, pairing his midrange scoring ability with veteran wisdom and humor inside the locker room. After converting a spinning and-1 during his Oct. 4 preseason debut, the veteran forward now steps into Denver's regular-season lineup.

Why it matters: Integrating a seasoned 18th-year scorer gives the Nuggets both a reliable half-court creator and a steadying vocal presence for their title pursuit. DeRozan's mentorship and shot-making help anchor Denver's rotation over the full 82-game slate.

What to watch: DeRozan and the Nuggets open the regular season on Thursday, Oct. 22, before NBA Cup play begins on Oct. 30.