Denver Nuggets Summer League standout Brandon Goodwin reminds us he’s still waiting for his next NBA opportunity
Getting to the charity stripe
Despite being very athletic, at 6-foot-1, no one is expecting Brandon Goodwin to be one of the best finishers in the league. But with volatile jump shots accounting for so much of Goodwin’s offensive value, it is important for him to balance that out with trips to the free-throw line, where he can generate easy offense.
Goodwin maintained a 48 percent free throw rate at Summer League, attempting five free throw attempts per game. He wasn’t scared to use his touch to finish over the top of defenders as big as 7-foot-7 Tacko Fall but also would absorb contact when needed.
Over the four Summer League games, Goodwin shot 75 percent on 20 free throw attempts. His offensive rating of 115.8 was impressive, as was his 59.9 percent true shooting percentage both aided along by his ability to draw fouls.
Goodwin’s five free attempts per game at 2019-20 Summer League was the highest average he has maintained over any stretch of his career dating back to his senior year of college at Flordia Gulf Coast (5.6 FTA per game). If he can bring that aggressiveness driving to the rim on a consistent basis, there is no reason to think Goodwin won’t be on an NBA roster soon.
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A lot of what Goodwin brings to an NBA roster is what former Denver Nuggets guard Isaiah Thomas did at one point, which was: microwave scoring and playmaking ability that masked any other deficiencies an undersized guard has. While I certainly believe Goodwin is worth signing to a traditional NBA contract, Goodwin will likely join a roster on a Two-Way contract, making him more than worth the investment.
