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Looking at the Denver Nuggets’ Loaded Backcourt

By Drew Albee

Dec 22, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) and guard Gary Harris (14) react during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) and guard Gary Harris (14) react during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard JaKarr Sampson (9) in the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard JaKarr Sampson (9) in the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

JaKarr Sampson and Axel Toupane

The Denver Nuggets featured a rotating cast of players at the wing positions last season after injuries plagued the roster. During the season, the Nuggets acquired a pair of wings with similar skill sets in JaKarr Sampson and Axel Toupane. The two wings have very similar contracts, in that neither is fully guaranteed for next season and the Nuggets can waive either player without financial risk.

Both players are very good on-ball defenders and can defend multiple positions on the perimeter. In fact, Sampson developed into Denver’s perimeter stopper towards the end of last season

Sampson is more of a high-flyer than Toupane and he attacks the rim well, but needs to add range to his jump shot. Sampson only shot 27.6% from deep for the Nuggets last season.

Toupane, again, has a similar skill set to Sampson, but is a bit better shooter, shooting 32.5% from the perimeter during his rookie campaign last season.

I prefer Toupane to Sampson even though they are nearly identical players, because Toupane has exhibited the ability to hit shots from the perimeter. In two seasons in the league, Sampson has only made 23.7% of his three-point attempts. Toupane’s ability to defend multiple positions as well as hit shots from the outside make him a prime 3-and-D candidate to come off the Nuggets’ bench.

Next: Conclusion

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