The starting lineup's been a revolving door this season for the Nuggets, but each Nugget that walks through the turnstiles continues to get the job done. Julian Strawther is the latest to do just that. Strawther, who has a team option for next season, has helped ease any worries Nuggets fans may have had about the hole that is the wing spot for the rest of this season. And, if Peyton Watson can't be re-signed when he becomes a restricted free agent this summer, they've found a capable replacement.
For the past two games, Strawther's occupied the starting spot left open by both Watson and Aaron Gordon. And in those last two games, he's had back-to-back stat lines any seasoned vet would be proud of. His second start of the season saw him post 19 points and 5 rebounds, and he bettered that in his third start, scoring 20 and adding 6 rebounds, on an impressive 50% from the floor in both games.
More importantly, he wasn't afraid to let it fly. He scored 11 of the team's first 15 points to open the contest, knocking down open jumpers and attacking the rim a few times with authority. The third-year forward from Gonzaga has taken his opportunity and run with it.
He's even got the right attitude. When asked by Scott Hastings about what the Nuggets can do after their crushing last-second loss to Cleveland, Strawther said, "I feel like it's something that we can clean up, with the veteran presence and championship game that we've got in this locker room, I've got no worries going forward." We should be hopeful that the same sentiment is shared across the locker room. It's certainly shared amongst fans.
Strawther's the latest in a line of young wings to step up
First, it was Peyton Watson. Watson first started his everyday role in the starting lineup on November 15th, after Christian Braun went down with an ankle injury. Watson's play soared to another level after Nikola Jokic's December 29th knee injury. Watson was averaging 21.1 points per game since that night in Miami. But, a grade 2 hamstring injury knocked him out of the lineup for at least the next four weeks.
Spencer Jones was the next young wing to get the starting nod. He joined Watson the very next week after Gordon went down on Nov. 21st. Jones is now sidelined, too, currently in the concussion protocol. Jones was only averaging 6 points and 3.1 rebounds, but he was helping space the floor and providing solid enough defense.
But it's Strawther that could end up as the gem the Nuggets didn't know they had. If they lose Peyton Watson in RFA, Strawther will be a great stash for next season.