Alpha Diallo arrived in Denver with a reputation that suggested he could carve out a real role right away. Instead, the early read on his Nuggets future looks narrower: he may end up as a situational defender more than a regular part of the rotation.
That’s a change from how things looked in camp and the preseason. Diallo came in after winning the EuroLeague Best Defender award last year, and Cameron Johnson called him a “menace” in training camp.
He also flashed enough early in the preseason to make a rotation spot seem secure. But the last few games have told a different story.
Diallo has played just 9 minutes across his last three games and has also taken a DNP, which makes it look like he’s sliding down the depth chart.
The defense is still the selling point. Diallo helped Denver clamp down on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 17 points in the season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he logged 22 minutes in that game.
But the offensive side has been a problem. He can put pressure on the rim when he catches it with space in the corner, yet his finishing has been rough and the three-ball hasn’t dropped.
That’s where the concern starts to build. Head coach David Adelman sees him every day in practice, and whatever Diallo has shown in games may not be enough to keep him in the mix on both ends.
The clearest sign came against the Toronto Raptors. With DeMar DeRozan out, Adelman barely used Diallo, giving him only the final 3:45 in garbage time of Denver’s 128-109 win.
The bigger opportunity went to Bryce Hopkins instead. The 49th pick in this summer’s NBA Draft played 27 minutes off the bench and delivered 18 points on 6-for-7 shooting, along with 2 steals.
Hopkins brought the same kind of physical defensive edge, and he’s looked strong whenever the Nuggets have turned to him.
That’s part of the reason Diallo’s path feels so limited right now. Hopkins and Trevon Brazile, Denver’s other rookie second-round pick, have both made the most of their chances.
It’s still early, and the rotation can change. But for now, the evidence points to Diallo filling a specialist role.
And that still has value. When the Nuggets need extra pressure on defense, that’s where he fits best.
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