The Nuggets were already dealing with a familiar kind of early-season bad luck, and now Julian Strawther’s status has pushed their bench offense into even murkier territory.
Strawther exited Denver’s fourth preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers with a yet-to-be-determined leg/knee injury, and the scene looked rough. He was in visible pain and covered his face with a towel as he left the floor. The team is still waiting on MRI results, so nothing definitive is in hand yet, but he could still be looking at missing a couple of games even if the news is relatively kind.
That’s a problem because Strawther had been one of the bright spots for the second unit. Through four preseason games, he’s averaging 13.3 points per game, good for second on the team, and he’s hitting 43.5% from three on 5.8 attempts a night. That’s the highest-volume three-point shooting on the roster, and it’s exactly the kind of production Denver needs from its bench.
The timing matters, too. The Nuggets lost Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency to the Miami Heat, and Hardaway’s role last season was no small thing: 224 made threes and 13.5 points per game.
Strawther was the clear candidate to absorb that scoring load, and early on he was doing more than just spotting up. He was also putting pressure on the rim and finishing with a floater in the mid-range, giving the second unit something Hardaway didn’t bring.
If Strawther has to sit, Denver’s bench scoring has to lean heavily on DeMar DeRozan. That second unit could feature Tyus Jones, DeRozan, Alpha Diallo, Spencer Jones, and Marvin Bagley III, with Bagley offering some interior work and pick-and-roll value alongside Tyus and Spencer providing corner three shooting. But without Strawther’s slashing and spacing, the group loses a major offensive release valve.
The Nuggets could also look at Trevon Brazile if they want more three-point help off the bench. He can fill that role some, though he’s more naturally a four than a big wing. Even so, head coach David Adelman could still give him a look.
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Nuggets Rotation Squeeze Could Force Two Young Surprises Into Bigger Roles
David Adelman has never been shy about trimming a roster down to something manageable, and that preference is creating an early-season logjam for the Nuggets. With at least 13 players making a real case during the preseason, Denver suddenly has more worthy candidates than spots in a rotation that Adelman typically keeps to no more than ten. That kind of squeeze is exactly the sort of problem contenders like to have, but it also means some promising names could start the season on the outside looking in.
Cam Whitmore and Trevon Brazile have both flashed enough to keep the conversation going, even if neither is assured of cracking the main group right away. Still, the door may not stay closed for long. Injuries to Spencer Jones and Julian Strawther have already added another layer to the decision-making, and those absences could create an opening for Whitmore and Brazile to see the floor earlier than expected if Denver needs fresh legs and extra depth. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets Have Two Lingering Concerns With Opening Night Getting Close
With one preseason game left before the regular season opener against Oklahoma City on Oct. 22, the Nuggets still have a few lineup questions to answer. Michael Malone is expected to use the final tune-up to sort through the rotation, a process complicated by the status of Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones, both of whom have been dealing with injuries as Denver tries to get its roster in order.
There is also a familiar preseason concern hanging over the group, and it comes from beyond the arc. Denvers three-point shooting has not been where it was last season, when the Nuggets were among the leagues best from deep, and the early dip has put some extra attention on how cleanly this offense will look once the games start counting. With opening night close, the last exhibition is less about winning than about leaving Malone with a clearer read on who is ready to play. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets May Have An Unexpected Answer Behind Jamal Murray
The search for a steadier answer behind Jamal Murray has a new wrinkle, with Memphis now looking at trade possibilities for Walter Clayton Jr. after originally treating him as a key part of the Jaren Jackson Jr. deal. For Denver, that kind of name is worth tracking because the Nuggets have spent time trying to firm up the point guard spot when Murray is off the floor, and a young ballhandler with real passing instincts can fit that conversation quickly.
Claytons first NBA season showed why teams still see something to work with. He flashed playmaking as a rookie, but the shooting efficiency never matched the promise, which is exactly the sort of uneven profile that can create both opportunity and hesitation on the trade market. If Denver decides to circle back, the appeal would be obvious, but so would the questions about how much immediate reliability he can provide in a backup role. [Read more 🡒]