After a disappointing first-round exit, the Denver Nuggets will undoubtedly be making substantial changes to their roster. Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson have been linked in trade rumors daily. Peyton Watson‘s future remains unknown. Even beloved Nuggets Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon could possibly be on their way out. And that’s just the starting lineup.
Denver’s bench unit can also expect some serious turnover. Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Spencer Jones are all free agents. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are expected to waive Jonas Valanciunas and seek a trade for Zeke Nnaji. Simply put, Denver could look completely different next season, and they will likely need to rely on help from within to make another run.
The Nuggets Need Guard Help
The 2026 NBA Draft has now come and gone. The Nuggets, to the surprise of many, avoided addressing guard depth with both of their picks. Admittedly, executive Jon Wallace attempted to trade up for one, but it was ultimately not to be. “We tried to make some moves to get up…we’re not the only team that wants elite point guards,” Wallace confessed.
Nevertheless, the guard spots on Denver’s bench are essentially vacant. Not only were they not addressed in the draft, but with the incumbents — Brown and Hardaway Jr. — possibly leaving, the need increases. The Nuggets may attempt to re-sign Brown, as he will be relatively cheap, is a solid defender, and is beloved by the Denver community. Hardaway Jr., on the other hand, will be difficult to bring back, as his tremendous season could earn him a figure that the Nuggets cannot afford.
Thus, it’s clear that Denver needs guards. Lucky for them, they have one that has been on the roster for years, just waiting for his chance. That guard’s name is Julian Strawther.
Why Roll With Strawther?
Strawther has many attributes that should allow him to succeed as a backup guard. At 6-foot-6, Strawther has the ability to play the two or three. Additionally, with solid ball-handling skills for his size, he can even sometimes serve as the primary guard. To put it plainly, his versatility gives him a very solid chance at seeing playing time.
Admittedly, he is still very raw. In his first three years, he has mostly ridden the bench as the Nuggets have always had better guards to rely on. But that may no longer be the case this year. Not only is Denver’s backup guard situation worse than before, but Strawther has continued to improve.
Looking at points per game isn’t an entirely fair metric for him. That number more so depends on how much he happens to be playing and less so on how well he is playing. So, let’s look at percentages.
In college at Gonzaga, Strawther made a name for himself as a sharpshooter, knocking down nearly 41% of his triples in his senior year. Then, in his rookie year, he shot under 30%. Since then, though, he has risen to just under 35% two years ago and almost 39% last year. Backup guards that can regularly hit threes, of which he is showing that he can be, are always vital.
His skills extend beyond just his shooting, though. In the playoffs, the Nuggets demonstrated a clear lack of ball-handling ability. Braun, Brown, and Hardaway Jr. all struggled with that skill. Strawther, though, is a player who can handle the ball, run an offense, and create his own shot.
Admittedly, his assist-to-turnover ratio is subpar, but his potential is clearly there, and in an area of need for Denver, no less.
Who Else But Julian Strawther?
Hesitancy regarding Strawther is valid. Sure, he’s a solid shooter that can handle the ball and provide occasional offensive sparks. But he also struggles defensively, hasn’t fully maximized his opportunities, and can, in general, appear unpolished. Ultimately, though, there is a chance that none of these pros and cons matter.
Let’s picture a rather realistic world in which Hardaway Jr. and either Johnson, Braun, or Watson are not on the team at the start of next year. Maybe Brown and Jones will be back, but maybe not. In terms of adding reinforcements, they already balked at the draft. Free agency could prove to be equally challenging.
As of now, the Nuggets have very little money to spend. They are just beneath the second apron, and if they bring in Watson without making any moves, they’ll be in the thick of it. They will likely only be able to get veteran guards on cheap deals, and there aren’t many players of that specification that move the needle.
Maybe they’ll be able to find a diamond in the rough. Maybe a Johnson or Braun trade lands them a solid backup guard. Ultimately, though, both still provide risks. In those scenarios, Denver would either have to give out a coveted contract with their last remaining dollars or make a substantial trade just to bring in someone who may not fit.
Strawther is familiar with the Nuggets’ system. He knows how to play alongside Jokic in the others. He’s enhanced his strengths and addressed his weaknesses. At a time when Denver is dealing with a multitude of roster issues, Strawther presents an easy solution.
The Nuggets drafted Strawther in the first round so that he could develop and help maximize their championship window. Now is his chance to do exactly that.
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