Denver Nuggets: An updated look at the depth chart after FA
By Sean Carroll
Denver Nuggets post-FA depth chart: Shooting guard
Starter: Will Barton
We could be in for a resurgent Will Barton season in 2021-22. He’s currently the longest-tenured Denver Nugget and in his time with the team, he has seen his role change a few times.
He came in as a starter, then was moved to the sixth man role, and then expressed interest in becoming a starter again before losing his spot to the younger Michael Porter Jr.
With no Jamal Murray for most of next season, Barton is the most talented guard on the roster and will have all the opportunity to be the starting shooting guard all season. With a pass-happy MVP in Nikola Jokic and the shooting on this team, Barton could be the ball handler in some dangerous pick-and-roll sets.
Backup: Austin Rivers
Austin Rivers pretty much pulls rank here as the backup two guard but if anyone’s spot on this list is up for grabs, it’s at the backup shooting guard.
Rivers came in after being traded from the New York Knicks and then waived by the OKC Thunder.
He was very grateful for the position given to him by Denver, telling The Denver Post’s Sean Keeler that he almost thought he was out of the league after being traded:
"“When you get something taken away from you, and you’re sitting at home for a month or two and you’re watching guys on TV, it changes you. In a lot of ways.”"
He has earned a roster spot after playing well in the playoffs and playing within the Denver Nuggets’ system.
Third string: Bones Hyland
I’m so f***ing excited to watch this dude play, he’s silky smooth, he’s a three-level scorer, and he has nothing to lose in his rookie season.
Related Story. Nah'Shon 'Bones' Hyland scouting report. light
Yes, Nah’Shon ‘Bones’ Hyland is a guard option coming in for a team with an injured combo guard, but Malone has traditionally not played rookie much. That doesn’t mean he’s not touching the court at all and he’ll have a few opportunities to explode on the scene.
I’m fully prepared for a world in which he kills it early in the league year and overlaps Austin Rivers.