The Las Vegas Summer League has already come and gone, but the Denver Nuggets got a great look at their draft picks, undrafted free-agent rookies, and seasoned two-way players. Three of them stood out from the rest of the pack, and one of them faded from the hype coming into the annual showcase. The standouts offer a lot to be excited about, and at least one of them is assured of offering the Nuggets a long-term option. It's been a couple of years since the Nuggets last had a summer league class this invigorating.
The fader: Aaron Nkrumah
Aaron Nkrumah never really showed the defense he was known for over the five Summer League games, which was surprising given his defensive prowess coming out of Tennessee State. Nkrumah averaged an amazing 2.8 steals per game during his senior season, good for second in all of Division I men's basketball. But he only amassed one steal over three games off the bench and likely didn't do enough to get a spot with the big club, but he may be able to find a home in the G-League with the Grand Rapids Gold.
Turned heads #3: Osayi Osifo
High-energy, physical, and athletic. Osayi Osifo turned heads by showcasing his athleticism with a come-from-behind block on the fast break against the Thunder and a driving dunk to the basket with authority against the Timberwolves. In game two of the summer set, Osifo scored 13 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in just seven minutes of floor time. Osifo should have done enough to warrant a trip to training camp, but he's still likely to be bound for the G-League.
Turned heads #2: Trevon Brazile
The Nuggets didn't even need to see Brazile score 32 points on 11-19 shooting from the floor while hitting 6-12 from three-point range to know that they needed to secure him to a longer-term contract. Brazile signed for four years, the first two guaranteed, and he showed some flashes of brilliance that should earn him playing time with the Nuggets right away.
There aren't too many 6-foot-10 forwards who can stretch the floor and also have the athleticism that Brazile has. He can cover ground with his length, and he showed his 41.5" vertical leap by blocking a shot up near the top of the square on the backboard. The upside is high, and he'll be fun to watch in a Nuggets jersey next year.
Turned heads #1: Bryce Hopkins
Bryce Hopkins was by far the biggest surprise and riser of the Summer League and could turn into a hidden gem. Hopkins sat out the game five finale, but he averaged 18 points and 6.5 rebounds in the four games he did play, and he put himself into the discussion not only for a two-way contract, but also a standard contract depending upon how free agency works out for the Nuggets.
Hopkins was physical, almost as if he was drawn to the contact before he could get to the rim, where he had no problem finishing, including a couple of thunderous dunks. He's very athletic, and he can shoot much better than the scouting reports had for him coming out of St. John's as a senior. His downhill, slashing play was a delight to see, and something the Nuggets could have used last year.
All in all, it was a fun summer league. Now the Nuggets' focus returns to the free agent chase as the offseason marches onward.
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