Q >> Why is the Nuggets’ defense so horrific so far this season? Anything in particular stand out?

— CS, Denver

Bennett >> I don’t know about “horrific.” Points in a vacuum don’t always tell the whole story. But you’re not wrong. The early returns indicate a regression toward 2022-23 numbers.

The Nuggets have the 18th-ranked defense through 10 games. That’s 10 spots lower than last season and three spots lower than two years ago. The good news: They were good enough offensively to win the championship anyway that season, and their current offensive rating is within 0.1 points of the 2022-23 team despite roster changes and injuries.

Back to defense, though. Michael Malone can almost stomach a loss despite good defense more than he can a win featuring bad defense. (Key word is “almost.”) The first topic he brought up to reporters after the win over Miami was the lack of discipline Denver exhibited at that end.

There’s some important context. The Nuggets are allowing the second-most field goal attempts per game (93.5) and the seventh-most 3-point attempts (39.5), an obvious formula for giving up more points — but that’s partially a result of the increased tempo they’re intentionally playing at this season.

They currently rank seventh in PACE (101.24), up from 26th. This is what happens when you add Christian Braun to the starting lineup and Russell Westbrook to the rotation.

Playing fast on offense can speed up the opponent, too. The Nuggets are up from 17th to fourth in fast break points, but they’re also allowing 3.5 more per game than last season. There’s a give and take. Malone believes some of the “give” is avoidable. He’s been unhappy with communication getting back in transition — multiple players beelining for the paint and leaving shooters uncovered.

There are issues popping up in the half-court, too. Braun’s upgrade to the starting lineup resulted in a defensive downgrade to the bench, an issue exacerbated this week by Aaron Gordon’s injury and Peyton Watson’s subsequent increase in starting minutes. Denver is allowing the fifth-most points in the paint per 100 possessions (53).

Braun has been outstanding so far as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s replacement, especially with more physical assignments. But from what I can tell on film, he hasn’t mastered screen navigation to the extent of KCP yet. If he’s chasing a ballhandler from behind after struggling to get over a screen, that can set off a chain reaction of help and recovery. Certain quick guards (Kyrie Irving) can take advantage without needing to pass; others can locate the roll man or the open spot-up shooter, forcing rotations and tiring out Denver’s defenders with ball movement. The Nuggets are allowing the most assists per game and per 100 possessions in the league.

They also have a lot of jumpy guys who are susceptible to biting on shot-fakes. Players who attack those close-outs can collapse the defense easily and set off the same reaction. The result? The seventh-most wide-open 3s (20.6) allowed per game.

Q >> What’s Denver’s solution to give Nikola Jokic time to rest on the bench? Dario Saric hasn’t looked very good. Zeke Nnaji is mid. DeAndre Jordan’s just a locker-room leader now. Is there anyone out there on the market?

— Mike, Denver

Bennett >> The ideal solution would be for one of Saric or Nnaji to grow into the season and play better, but if we’re talking trade.

The Nuggets will likely be hard-pressed to acquire a rotation-worthy big man before the trade deadline — Robert Williams III, Jonas Valanciunas and Nikola Vucevic come to mind — unless they’re willing to part with young talent, which could compromise an already tenuous floor-spacing situation.

They’ve managed to overcome that so far by shooting the second-highest 3-point percentage in the league. But you have to consider that Braun, Jokic and Gordon’s numbers will drop eventually. They can’t stay above 50% forever.

With that in mind, my sense is that if Denver decides to be active in the trade market this season, the priority will be adding a shooter. The front office views Gordon as an above-average backup center for playoff purposes, I’ve been told. That’s when the rotation shortens anyway. These concerns about the center position during Jokic’s rest minutes are more confined to the regular season.

Like I said, patience is probably the best medicine with Nnaji and Saric, but if it gets really bad, maybe Jay Hall is worth a try. After all, Denver’s two-way center last season is thriving in Memphis on a regular contract now.