After beginning the season with a fair number of concerns, the Denver Nuggets bench unit has turned some things around.

While the bench unit as a whole continues to struggle, individual players have shined at various points throughout the first 12 games of the year. Russell Westbrook has had some impressive moments carrying Denver as a playmaker. Julian Strawther continues to find ways to score and make an impact as a floor spacer. Peyton Watson, filling in the starting lineup for the injured Aaron Gordon, has played reasonably well in his stead and is shooting with more confidence. Even Dario Saric is figuring some things out.

On the latest episode of Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn shares some insights on the Denver Nuggets bench and how they’re playing to begin the 2024-25 season. Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, and Dario Saric were expected to be in Denver’s Top 9 at the beginning of the year. Will they finish the season there in a playoff rotation? Ryan breaks it down before talking about Nikola Jokic and Denver’s matchup tonight against the Grizzlies.

Pickaxe and Roll is a Nuggets podcast streamed live on YouTube every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10am MT. You can catch episodes live by subscribing to the Mile High Sports YouTube channel and turning on Bell Notifications.

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If you can’t catch Pickaxe and Roll live, listen to the audio version on the BLEAV Podcast Network, or download this podcast episode wherever you get podcasts.