Player no. 2) - Jalen Pickett
Pickett is actually the conventional point guard on the roster. Like Strawther, he was drafted last season when he was picked 32nd overall out of Penn State. He barely cracked 100 total minutes in his first season, but the Nuggets have high hopes for the 24-year-old.
Pickett played five years of college basketball, three at Siena, then two as a Nittany Lion. Pickett became one of the most reliable floor generals in the country and the Nuggets are hoping he can fill that role off their bench for years to come.
He can handle and shoot the ball and Denver needs that in spades. Look for him to take the reins for this Summer League team and hopefully make them look composed and cohesive. The Nuggets don’t currently have a clear backup point guard on the roster and with a strong summer, Pickett could definitely earn a chance or even win the job to start the regular season.
Pickett is going to have to bring a hard-nosed defensive attitude and intensity and provide much-needed energy as well as taking care of the ball on offense, and creating shots for himself and others. We know he’s capable and now it’s time for him to make a leap and carve out a role.