July 17th 2024.
After the action-packed first weekend of the NBA Summer League, it's safe to say that the games this week will see a decrease in the participation of key rotation-caliber players. This trend is evident for the Denver Nuggets as well. Their standout guard, Julian Strawther, was seen in street clothes during their 80-66 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday. It is likely that he will not be playing for the rest of their stay in Las Vegas.
Let's take a look at three key takeaways from the Nuggets' disappointing loss, which brings their record to 0-3 in the Summer League 2024. Firstly, Trey Alexander has shown immense potential and could potentially secure a two-way contract for this year. With Strawther sitting out on Tuesday, the rookie from Creighton took on the lead guard role and delivered an impressive performance of 18 points and 8 rebounds. In fact, he has been the second-best player for the Nuggets in Las Vegas, with an average of 16 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Alexander has displayed great spatial awareness and control on the court, making tough shots and getting to the free-throw line with ease. As he continues to impress, it looks like he may become a valuable role player for the team in the upcoming regular season.
On a slightly less positive note, the Nuggets' sophomore point guard Jalen Pickett has struggled to find his rhythm in the Summer League so far. He has shot a disappointing 5 for 22 in two games, averaging only 4.7 points per game. While he has shown flashes of his passing and scoring abilities, Pickett needs to improve on his ability to penetrate and make plays in order to fully utilize his passing skills. Additionally, there have been some instances of him getting beaten defensively this week. In order for him to reach his full potential, Pickett needs to work on other aspects of his game as well.
One of the main reasons for the Nuggets' 0-3 record is their lack of size on the Summer League roster. With DaRon Holmes suffering a season-ending Achilles tear last Friday and PJ Hall sitting out on Tuesday, the team has been struggling on the defensive end. This was evident in their game against the Hornets, as they gave up 18 offensive rebounds and 18 second-chance points. The tallest player on the roster, Parker Braun, was the only one with a positive plus-minus in the game. The Nuggets will need to address this issue in order to avoid further injuries and improve their performance in the remaining games.
Overall, the Nuggets have had a tough start to the Summer League, with injuries and a lack of size hindering their performance. However, there have been some promising performances from players like Trey Alexander, and the team will need to continue to work on their weaknesses in order to bounce back and end the Summer League on a positive note. To stay updated on all things Nuggets, be sure to sign up for the Nuggets Insider for exclusive NBA analysis.
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