Coming into the preseason, many thought the Denver Nuggets' offseason additions wouldn't amount to a deep bench. Even head coach David Adelman admitted during training camp that he "worried" the Nuggets' rotation would "only have nine players." But the first three preseason games have shown a much deeper bench overall, and now Adelman's trying to figure out his "secondary rotation." A 10-man rotation. That means training camp standouts Alpha Diallo and Julian Strawther are fighting for that 10th spot.
Adelman was discussing his thoughts about the second unit during his media session before the Nuggets flew to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers in their fourth preseason game.
"I'm trying to figure out our secondary rotation. That's more important to me right now. The starters will be fine. I do not want to play a starter with the second unit if I don't have to to start the season. So that's the goal right now," Adelman said.
That's a fantastic goal, of course, to keep the two units separate for them to gel together. It means the non-Nikola Jokic minutes won't have a stagger of Jamal Murray or Cameron Johnson to start. And it also means fewer minutes and wear and tear on the starter who doesn't get staggered. But that also means there will be a battle for that last rotation spot. However, it would probably be best to leave that spot in flux.
The Nuggets should run 10.5 players in the rotation
So we know that Tyus Jones will be the backup point guard, and Marvin Bagley III is the backup center behind Jokic. And of course, DeMar DeRozan is the sixth man off the bench. And although Spencer Jones hasn't been seen in the preseason because of a hamstring injury, he's likely penciled in as the backup four behind Aaron Gordon. Those spots all seem set for now.
But that leaves Diallo and Strawther fighting for the 10th and final spot. Both have been outstanding in the preseason. But they're polar opposites in their playing style, and both of them bring something to the table that the Nuggets desperately need. That's why Adelman should consider a 10.5-player rotation, if not even an 11-player rotation.
Diallo brings the defense that the Nuggets haven't had in years. He doesn't get screened, and he can provide full-court pressure. For a team deficient in defense, Diallo needs to play. But so does Strawther, who's a volume three-point shooter who can fill the role left open by the departed Tim Hardaway Jr. Strawther's taken the scoring leap to replace Hardaway so far.
If anything, Adelman needs to think outside the box and take minutes from Christian Braun and give them to either Diallo or Strawther, especially if Braun continues the cold start he's had in the preseason.
But at least the Nuggets seem deeper this year than they were last year. It's just unfortunate that it appears both Diallo and Strawther are the ones fighting for the last spot.
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