Nuggets: 3 training camp battles to watch out for

Training camp for the Denver Nuggets, as well as the other 29 teams, begins on Dec. 1.

The Denver Nuggets finished the 2019-20 season with a 46-27 record, third in the Western Conference.

After a Cinderella run through the 2020 NBA Playoffs, even the most casual NBA fans knows the Nuggets are a team to be reckoned with. However, due to the unpredictable nature of free agency, Denver suddenly finds themselves in a position to re-tool at least one third of their rotation from last season.

With so much uncertainty heading into training camp, here are three position battles to watch out for.

Michael Porter Jr. vs. Will Barton

One of the biggest unknowns heading into training camp is who will be the Nuggets’ starting small forward in 2020-21. For the last two and a half seasons, that spot has — more or less — belonged to Will Barton but with Michael Porter Jr.’s emergence, there’s a legitimate question of whether or not Barton will continue to man that spot.

Barton himself has said that it’s time to unleash MPJ and has long been vocally supportive of the 6’10” sharpshooter.

The clear advantages that Barton has over Porter are basketball IQ and positive defensive impact. However, Porter is a superior perimeter shooter and rebounder whose awareness and defensive technique should improve with practice, film study and in-game reps.

How much MPJ could have improved in his problem areas in the span of two months is a question, as is Barton’s current health.

Prediction: Porter starts the 2020-21 season as the starting small forward.

JaMychal Green vs. Paul Millsap vs. Bol Bol vs. Greg Whittington

Had Jerami Grant not bolted to Detroit at the start of free agency, he would have been penciled in as a starter at one of the forward spots.

However, despite the fact that he left the Mile High so unexpectedly, the silver lining for Denver is that the Nuggets now know what kind of player they were missing: a stretch-four with the defensive versatility to defend 2-4 on a nightly basis.

Though both JaMychal Green are stretch-fours, their defensive versatility isn’t on the same level of Grant’s because they aren’t as fluid of athletes. This is particularly important with Porter still being an unreliable defender and Jamal Murray’s responsibilities on offense.

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That’s what gives 7’2″ forward Bol Bol, a mobile and fluid athlete with a 7’7″ wingspan and 9’7″ standing reach, a puncher’s chance of being the Nuggets’ surprise starter. Though gangly and relatively inexperienced, Bol provides Denver with the same level of perimeter prowess Millsap and Green provide while being a better ball-handler, passer, rebounder and shot-blocker.

Of course he’s not as quick and shifty as some backcourt players will be his length and athleticism make him far more versatile defensively than either Green or Millsap.

Greg Whittington, who signed a two-way contract with the Nuggets, is also a darkhorse candidate. His skillset all but mirrors that of Grant’s, with the added benefit of Whittington being a great finisher due to his soft touch and body control.

Whittington emerging as the starter would likely result in his contract being converted into a standard deal while Vlatko Cancar is released and Green replaces Isaiah Hartenstein as the backup center.

Prediction: JaMychal Green enters 2020-21 as the starter, Bol Bol or Greg Whittington takes over by midseason

Monte Morris vs. R.J. Hampton

Monte Morris has been a reliable backup for Denver but R.J. Hampton is bigger, more talented and a more cost-effective option in the immediate future.

With Morris and the Nuggets having yet to come to terms on an extension for the Iowa State product, the door is left open for Hampton — a first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Although his long-term potential is as a star starter in Denver’s backcourt, he can emerge as the team’s backup point guard this season.

Morris familiarity with the team and his 3-point shooting — until the results from Mike Miller’s time with Hampton are seen in-game — are advantages that he has over Hampton. However, that’s where the buck stops, especially with R.J. having gained professional experience while playing for the NBL’s New Zealand Breakers.

If Hampton should leave training camp as the backup point guard, it’s a promising sign for both him and the Nuggets.

It’s likely it would also lead to Denver trading Morris, as the Nuggets also signed flashy lead guard Facundo Campazzo in the offseason. A decorated international player with sizable Olympic experience, it’s highly improbable Campazzo would have left Real Madrid midseason or have been willing to pay a record $6 million buyout without a promise of playing time.

Prediction: Monte Morris enters 2020-21 as Gary Harris’ backup, R.J. Hampton takes over by midseason.

What position battles are you most interested to see? Let us know on Twitter @Nugg_Love.