When the Denver Nuggets take on the Indiana Pacers in Mexico City on Saturday afternoon, they'll welcome back Spencer Jones, who's off the injury report and set to make his season debut. He's been out since before the first preseason game with a hamstring injury. In his absence, Trevon Brazile stepped in as the backup four behind Aaron Gordon, the spot in the rotation that head coach David Adelman had planned for Spencer. But Brazile should keep his minutes in the rotation while the Nuggets take minutes from someone else.
Brazile has been electric for the Nuggets since the first time he stepped on the floor against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the season opener. Brazile soared for 7 rebounds in his first 5:16 of NBA action. He hasn't slowed down since. He's averaging 8.0 points and 6.4 rebounds, second on the team behind Nikola Jokic's 9.7.
And his defense has been game-changing, literally. Against the New Orleans Pelicans in the home opener, his two high-flying blocks on three-point attempts changed the momentum of the game. Brazile is one of the top shot-alters in the league to start the year, ranking among the league leaders, and the Nuggets would be fools to take that out of the lineup.
There are better options for who should lose minutes
Brazile's generally been either the first or second player off the bench, too, as Adelman brings Gordon out early to stagger with the second unit. His 22.1 minutes are the second most among the reserves, behind DeMar DeRozan's 25.0 minutes per game.
DeRozan should be first on the list to lose minutes because of how poorly the Nuggets' offense has been when he's been on the floor. The Nuggets looked night and day in the 128-109 win over the Toronto Raptors when DeRozan sat out with back spasms. He locks up the midrange, Jokic has to step out to the perimeter to find space, and Jokic's three-point ball won't land, and the offense bogs down.
Spencer would work well at the three instead of DeRozan. With Brazile next to him, especially if they're on together with Jokic, it would provide excellent spacing, as either can knock down a three at a better rate than DeRozan. DeRozan's at 22.2%, while Spencer hit 39.6% last year and Brazile's at 31.6%.
Tyus Jones should also lose minutes, and the Nuggets should try DeRozan at backup point guard while Adelman sorts the roster puzzle out. It would be a way to get DeRozan his minutes, but also a way to take him out of the ISO post-up game that just isn't fitting with the Nuggets' offense. DeRozan's a good playmaker, and Tyus hasn't looked great outside of the Raptors win.
It just shouldn't be Brazile who loses the minutes. His defense and intangibles have been too good, and the Nuggets need to continue to develop him so he's ready for the playoffs.
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