The Denver Nuggets have released their roster for the 2018 Summer League. After selecting three players in the NBA Draft, the Nuggets have a small army of young guys with much to prove before cracking the rotation at the next level. Denver’s roster will include some repeats from last summer, one of the three newest Nuggets, and some intriguing players who didn’t hear their name called on draft night.
The Names You Know
Nuggets fans will be excited to get a second look at point guard Monte Morris, who made several brief appearances for the Nuggets this past season but was never given an extended look. Morris is in the running to assume the vacant back up point guard role.
Last summer, it was Malik Beasley who ran the show for the Nuggets in Vegas. Beasley spent a lot of time bringing the ball up the court and the high flying guard was given a bright green light for the majority of his time on the hardwood.
The much maligned Tyler Lydon will make his return to basketball following an arthroscopic surgery on his left knee back in January. Lydon struggled last Summer but the sharpshooting forward should be particularly motivated to make an impact this time around. Lydon has as much to prove as anyone on the roster.
Petr Cornelie was drafted by the Nuggets in the late second round of the 2016 draft, but the Frenchman spent the past two seasons overseas. He’ll catch significant minutes in Vegas this year.
Thomas Welsh was drafted by the Nuggets towards the very end of the 2018 draft. The 7 footer with impressive rebounding numbers and soft touch from distance will hope to impress the front office and coaching staff. It is quite likely that Welsh signs a two-way contract with the Nuggets this year. In the event that either Jokic or Plumlee rolls an ankle, Welsh could don the newest Denver threads as soon as this season.
Vlatko Cancar. Enough said.
The New Guy Worth Watching
Kenrich Williams is an NBA talent. Standing at 6’7” despite being listed as a shooting guard, Williams showed tremendous defensive versatility at TCU. Much like PJ Tucker in Houston, Williams has the ability to guard virtually every position on the floor. He is a capable shooter when left open and should be able to space the floor effectively as a small ball four or five. The issue is his health. One front office member in Denver told the Stiffs that a healthy Williams is a first round talent. He went undrafted. That should tell you all you need to know about the concerns over his surgically repaired knee. They’re legitimate.
Projected Starters
Monte Morris/Malik Beasley/Kenrich Williams/Tyler Lydon/Thomas Welsh
The first four in this group are easy. Williams is a highly intriguing talent and was all but promised a starting spot when Denver called him after the draft. Monte and Malik were the starting back court in vegas last summer. Tyler Lydon is a first round pick, and will obviously get his looks. The center position is where I am most likely to be wrong. It is possible that Welsh is supplanted by Cornelie, but given that Cornelie is still playing overseas and Welsh may get a look as soon as this season, I expect the Nuggets to start him over his French counterpart.
