After a draft night and free agency period weeks ago that went far faster and smoother and usual, the Denver Nuggets and the rest of the NBA are almost at the end of the marathon that is Las Vegas Summer League.
Though half of their roster missed the first game due to health and safety protocols, the Nuggets have been an entertaining watch with two of their rostered players finding scoring success: Bol Bol and Bones Hyland. Each guy scores in drastically different ways, but with Bol’s freakish frame at 7’2” and his outside shooting touch, combined with Bones Hyland’s scoring instincts and silky smooth jumper, both have been fun to watch tear up Summer League gyms at various times.
But now, the time is finally coming to an end. Denver’s last game will be happening today. Every team attending Las Vegas was promised five games, and the Nuggets have completed four. This will be the final opportunity for much of Denver’s roster to make a lasting impression, so who the heck knows what will happen on a Monday afternoon in Las Vegas in the middle of August?
We will soon find out.
The Basics
Who: Denver Nuggets (1-3) vs Milwaukee Bucks (1-3)
Where: Las Vegas Summer League, Nevada
When: Monday, 2:00pm MT
How to Watch: ESPNews, League Pass,
Biggest questions
Will Denver’s rostered players play again?
Each of Denver’s three rostered players, Bol Bol, Zeke Nnaji, and Bones Hyland, has played three of the four games with the Nuggets in Las Vegas. A fourth player, Markus Howard, hasn’t had the opportunity to join the team but just recently signed a two-way contract with the Nuggets for the second year in a row. He hasn’t had the opportunity to play extensively in Las Vegas, but Bol, Nnaji, and Bones have, each showing varying levels of success and struggle.
Will those three players each suit up for a fourth game? It appears that most teams around the league have their young players playing four games, but the Nuggets have been notorious for holding back their young guys in years past after the first couple of Summer League games. It would be nice to get one last look at Denver’s young guys before the offseason begins in earnest.
Will another player make a claim for Denver’s other two-way roster spot?
Though Summer League has mostly been about Denver’s rostered players, the Nuggets have had several other contributors that haven’t gone unnoticed. Davon Reed has been the most well-rounded contributor on both ends of the floor, while Caleb Agada has showcased a nice pull-up jumper and quality perimeter defense. Zylan Cheatham and Deonte Burton have offered energy, athleticism, and some defensive chops on the wing, while Tarik Black has been a steady presence in the middle of the floor.
With Markus Howard claiming one of Denver’s two-way roster spots over the weekend, the Nuggets will be searching to fill their other spot with someone who can help the team win in the present and/or future. The franchise will look to their own Summer League team first, and if a contributor has separated themselves, then the Nuggets would be wise to offer the other two-way spot to that player. Monday afternoon will be the last opportunity for Denver’s Summer League roster to make an in-game impression for the foreseeable future.
Is Ryan ready to go relax by a pool?
Cerveza, por favor.
