The Denver Nuggets picked up Julian Strawther during a four-team draft-night trade in 2023, and in the three seasons since, Strawther has failed to garner a consistent spot in the rotation. That's despite the stellar play he's displayed when given the chance. It's a bit of a headscratcher as to why the Nuggets don't play Strawther more. They should, or they should trade him while they still have the chance.
Strawther's 2026-27 team option was exercised prior to the start of this past year, and yet the third-year guard only got the chance to showcase his talents when the rest of the team dropped like flies with injuries during the year. Strawther only played 57 games himself, but he started 14 games and averaged 14.8 points in those starts, more than Cameron Johnson at 12.2 points and Christian Braun at 12.0 points.
But come playoff time, Strawther was absent from the rotation, and Braun was playing over Strawther despite the higher offensive upside and athleticism that the Nuggets could have used in Braun's possibly injured place against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Strawther could be worth a couple of second-round picks
If the Nuggets decide they don't want to add Strawther as a regular rotation piece this year, they should absolutely trade him for a couple of second-round draft picks to spread out salary concerns while adding roster pieces. Strawther is set to make a little more than $4.8 million this year, and there is absolutely a team out there willing to take a chance on a young wing with offensive upside.
Which is the same chance the Nuggets should take with Strawther. He's not going to be a lockdown defender by any means, but his athleticism in getting to the rim and three-point shot (he shot 38.7% from downtown this year) were great fits when he took the chances he had and ran with them.
The Nuggets are entering a fork in the road with Strawther entering the final year of his extension. It would be a shame to see the Nuggets lose Strawther at the end of the season without giving him a little more run or getting something in return via trade. Even if the picks end up being for down the road, it wouldn't hurt, as the Nuggets don't have many future draft picks to begin with.
Stawther deserves a chance to prove himself after the numbers he put up as a starter. If the Nuggets don't want to give him a chance, ship him out before he loses all his value.
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