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Denver Nuggets Fantasy: Implications From Preseason Opener

By Tim Hart

Jan 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) shoots the ball prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) shoots the ball prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) passes the ball under pressure from Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) during the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Saddledome. Denver won 108-106. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) passes the ball under pressure from Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) during the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Saddledome. Denver won 108-106. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Fantasy Outlook for the Rookies

The Nuggets’ three drafted rookies got to see some playing time, and each made their own case for being a solid low-cost DFS option, but don’t seem fit for leagues.

Malik Beasley

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    • Beasley went a perfect 4/4 from the field, including one three pointer, for a total of 9 points in just 10 minutes. He is not likely to see much playing time throughout the season, so Beasley is not looking like a good league draft choice. For DFS though, keeping an eye on Beasley could prove to be useful, as his salary is likely to be near the player-minimum, even though he has shown himself to be incredibly productive in his limited minutes.

    Juan Hernangomez

    Similarly, given his 10 minutes of court time, Hernangomez managed a productive fantasy night as well. More well-rounded than Beasley, ‘Gomez had a focus more widespread than shooting. He only scored 2 points, but also managed to record 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. At this point, drafting Hernangomez is not an option. However, if injury were to plague the Nuggets, particularly at the PF or C position, then ‘Gomez may be worth a look in any fantasy format, due to his abilities to contribute in all sections of the box score.

    Jamal Murray

    Murray got to play the most minutes (17) of any Nuggets rookie, and did okay with them. He certainly did not have the sort of night that would make him a league draft option, but showed some upside that could make him, like Beasley and Hernangomez, a valuable low-cost DFS draftee. He scored 9 points, and shot 1/1 from three-point range. Fans probably expected a higher shot volume from Murray, and rightfully so.

    Murray didn’t get to see much time at PG, which is something that the Nuggets have expressed an interest in pursuing. Watch for Murray to see an increased ball-handling role in their next preseason game. We need to see much more production out of Murray before he should be considered even a late-round pick. Hopefully the next game will make his case.

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