One thing the Denver Nuggets don't do is push the pace. They take their time and efficiently find the three-point shot at one of the highest rates in the league. They can get out on the break just fine, but overall, they're a half-court team. And that should suit DeMar DeRozan in the offense just fine.
The Nuggets finished 21st in pace last season, and there's no reason to think that number will change much with the same starting five returning and the addition of DeRozan. Transition offense only accounted for 16.2% of the Nuggets' total points, so clearly, half-court sets were the normal look all year.
That's the preferred pace for DeRozan, and it's one reason why he would be great at the backup ball-handler spot to spell Jamal Murray. In 2022, with the Chicago Bulls, DeRozan told his then-coach, Billy Donovan, that he "loves to survey the half court from the middle of the floor and find teammates." DeRozan learned to be a distributor during his three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs under the guidance of legendary Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, and that role has followed him in the years since.
DeRozan at backup point guard could unlock better lineup possibilities
If the Nuggets decide to deploy DeRozan as the backup point guard, it opens up the possibilities of more lineups to choose from for head coach David Adelman. The Nuggets could put DDR at the one and bring Julian Strawther in to play the two. While that backcourt defense could be pretty bad with that pairing, the Nuggets could then bring on rookie defensive specialist Alpha Diallo to take on the role of guarding the opponent's best player in hopes of neutralizing the poor defense.
Strawther then becomes a movement shooter and assumes the Tim Hardaway Jr. three-point threat. Strawther shot an impressive 38.7% from downtown last season, and he's more than capable of pulling a head fake and driving to the basket, where he could then utilize his soft touch for a floater or finish strongly at the rim.
Diallo also has a strong basketball IQ and does a great job of moving without the ball to find opportunities close to the rim, where he finishes at a high rate. DeRozan could pick apart the opposing defense in the half-court to find either of them.
At the end of the day, DeRozan fits the Nuggets' slow pace very well, and he'll be a lightning rod to spark a different offensive look from the Nuggets' bench unit in 2026-27.
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