The sleepily slow start that the Denver Nuggets have had to start the offseason has revealed a bit of a plan, so to speak. The Nuggets are getting bigger on the second unit so far, with the exception of signing Tyus Jones for a backup point guard spot. But that's where the guard additions to the Nuggets stop. They have yet to re-sign Bruce Brown, and Tim Hardaway Jr. took his talents to South Beach, leaving former first-round pick Julian Strawther as one of two shooting guards on the roster, putting him on the clock for a much larger role in 2026-27.
The Nuggets are currently searching for guard depth. Specifically, a backup point guard, but they're thin at shooting guard, too. Even if they're successful in re-signing Peyton Watson, who could slide down to the two-guard spot if needed, the Nuggets will likely have to deal either Christian Braun or Cameron Johnson to avoid the NBA's second apron penalty threshold.
Without signing a veteran like DeMar DeRozan or LeBron James to play the two-guard spot, Strawther will be the backup to Braun and will be in line for heavy rotational minutes.
Strawther has shown flashes of first-round form
Strawther, the 29th pick of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Pacers, was acquired in a draft-night trade and saw steady playing time in 2024-25 before getting less court time in his third year while being stuffed deeper on the depth chart behind Hardaway. Strawther actually shot better from the floor and from three last year, while starting 14 games for the injury-plagued Nuggets.
Over those 14 starts, Strawther actually played better than both Johnson and Braun, averaging 14.8 points while shooting 38.5% from three. Not to mention, Strawther is an excellent slasher, and he can drive to the rim better than most on the team.
It seemed like an inexplicable mistake to keep Strawther on the bench as much as head coach David Adelman chose to do with him against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the early playoff exit. Strawther may have greater offensive upside than Braun, but of course Braun is much better defensively, a weakness of Strawther's.
The Nuggets should extend Strawther on a low-value extension
The Nuggets will have to extend Strawther before the season begins or risk putting him into restricted free-agent status next summer, the same boat they are in with Watson. The Nuggets should get Strawther signed to the lowest contract amount they can get him extended on. He's got upside still, and he's shown flashes of first-round pick form. He just needs the chance now that he's a bit more seasoned.
Without THJ in front of him, Strawther should get that chance this season. The Nuggets just may find a diamond in the rough at season's end if they do.
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