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Denver Nuggets: 3 potential starting point guards to target in free agency

By Quenton S. Albertie

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 05: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets makes the game winning shot in the final seconds of the fourth quarter during their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on March 05, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Denver Nuggets defeated the Charlotte Hornets 114-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 05: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets makes the game winning shot in the final seconds of the fourth quarter during their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on March 05, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Denver Nuggets defeated the Charlotte Hornets 114-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 26: Shabazz Napier #5 of the Washington Wizards dribbles against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Capital One Arena on February 26, 2020 in Washington, DC.  (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 26: Shabazz Napier #5 of the Washington Wizards dribbles against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Capital One Arena on February 26, 2020 in Washington, DC.  (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Shabazz Napier

While it should be expected, the Shabazz Napier you see now isn’t the one that came into the league.

He’s not a high-volume scorer or anything like that. However, since being drafted in 2014, Napier has become a terrific pick-and-roll player thanks to his high basketball IQ and methodical approach to being a floor general, a master at nailing a midrange shot and a reliable defender who can generate quite a few steals.

This development is in no small part due to the three seasons he spent with the Portland Trail Blazers, learning from superstar Damian Lillard and guard guru David Vanterpool. The season he spent with the Brooklyn Nets learning from former head coach Kenny Atkinson, who has was great at developing young players, and with the Minnesota Timberwolves (where he would start in 22 games and average a then career-high 23.8 minutes per game) only helped.

The result has been a player who started in 30 out of 51 games and averaged a career-high 5.0 assists per game. Although his inconsistency from beyond the arc and issues scoring around the rim lend to him being an inefficient scorer, he’s still a player that could help the Nuggets by allowing them to play Jamal Murray off-the-ball more and improving their defense against opposing point guards.

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