Strike 1: The much-shorter-than-you-realize NBA Summer League got off to a crummy start for the Denver Nuggets, when first round draft pick DaRon Holmes II suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon tear late in the leaguer opener. The expected “sky is falling” reaction followed.
While Holmes’ injury is a definite blow, if we’re being honest, it’s not the worst thing that could have happened in terms of getting ready for the upcoming season. It’s not like rookies typically play a big role for a Michael Malone-coached team, right? Given their recent history, and the recent acquisition of veteran big man Dario Saric, it’s not all that likely that Holmes would have had a big impact on the Nuggets upcoming season, despite the hype.
With the roster rebuilding ongoing, these summer time Nuggets have a more important question to get answered as Denver prepares to try to get back to the NBA Finals:
Can this be the Summer of Strawther?
Former first-round pick and soon-to-be second year man Julian Strawther has had a terrific start to what will be his sophomore campaign, with a pair of excellent summer league offensive performances. Strawther totaled 57 points in his first two starts, and in his second game, put up 32, including going 6-for-12 from 3-point range while adding five assists. He’s also done some impressive playmaking and even showed solid play on the defensive end.
“I’ve got an opportunity (this coming season) and I have to take advantage of that,” Strawther said after his second strong summer league performance.
His development is more important to the next Nuggets season than anything Holmes could have contributed.
A much-hyped rookie a season ago, Strawther had two big nights – coming off the bench to score 21 against New Orleans in November and 22 against Atlanta in December. Other than that, he only reached double digits eight other times, which won’t be enough if he is indeed going to become the sixth man next season. He also battled injuries a season ago, and missed 15 games from early January through the start of February. He’ll obviously need to stay healthy, too.
All that appears to be behind the former Gonzaga Bulldog now. A new found offensive aggressiveness appears it could serve him well.
There are a few new Nuggets that deserve watching in Las Vegas. Rookie point guard Tre Alexander – who Denver signed as an undrafted free agent – scored 18 points in his second summer league game and is already being looked at as a potential backup for the upcoming regular season. Big man P.J. Hall has also been impressive, even though he’s likely to be a G-League guy.
But if it’s all about the upcoming season, Denver desperately needs someone like Strawther to be able to come off the bench and score consistently. Having lost key players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson off an already thin roster, finding depth from within is crucial. Fellow young Nuggets Jalen Pickett and Hunter Tyson haven’t gotten off to good starts in the summer league thus far, and frankly don’t look ready to contribute. While developing these young guys and perhaps Alexander and Hall as well is important for the future, they aren’t what’s next.
Strawther is. He has to be.