What else is Bryce Hopkins going to have to do to show the Denver Nuggets that they need to hang onto him? After drafting Hopkins with the 49th pick during the second round of the NBA Draft, they deployed Hopkins to the Las Vegas Summer League to get a better look at what the rookie can offer. Through four games, Hopkins has shown he's got the tools that are needed to make an impact with the Nuggets, whether he's on a two-way or standard contract.
Hopkins has averaged 18.0 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 52.9% from the floor and 35.7% from three. One of the knocks on Hopkins that caused him to slide down in the draft was his shooting, but he's shown so far that it's mostly a non-issue. And he's shown nice defense, getting 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks.
Hopkins has intangibles that could be huge for the Nuggets at his value
The Nuggets currently can't spend anything more than the minimum salary on anyone, and they might not find many better options left for wing depth than Hopkins. I've already said he needs to be kept on for a two-way spot at minimum. The Nuggets need to sign him to that two-way spot once the summer league ends, rather than risk losing the intangibles that Hopkins has to someone else willing to take the chance on him.
Hopkins has been physical, never backing away from contact, and he's done quite well using his size and frame to get downhill to the rim, proving to be a more-than-capable slasher. That takes an athleticism that the Nuggets could use, now, as the roster is currently constructed.
And now we see that Hopkins can shoot? He was 3-6 from downtown in the Nuggets' most recent summer league game. Sign him to the two-way slot yesterday. Or sign him to a standard contract in place of Spencer Jones if Jones is asking for too much money. Which he must be if the Nuggets haven't re-signed the restricted free agent yet.
Expectations have to be tempered, but are valid
Sure, it's the summer league, and it's easy to get excited about a player who's clearly better than a bunch of other guys who will be in the G-League next year. But the intangibles Hopkins has, the Nuggets need. Even on a two-way contract, he could see some decent playing time, especially if someone gets hurt, like Jones did last season.
The Nuggets will have until August 5th to secure his draft rights via required tender or by signing him to the two-way or standard contract. They should definitely keep Hopkins around, and he should be a Nugget into next season.
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