The best news to come out of the Nuggets’ second Las Vegas Summer League game was that nobody got injured. After the demoralizing injury to DaRon Holmes in game one, fans were understandably a little reluctant to get excited about these games and approached them with a fair amount of caution.
But luckily, everyone came out the other side unscathed. Julian Strawther was the story of the game, as he came out firing and kept it up for most of the night. He finished with 32 points and buried six threes.
He is starting to look like he may fill that bench-scoring and shooting role that the team so desperately needs. At one point he did look like he rolled his ankle, but that was early on and he continued playing, looking no worse for the wear.
Trey Alexander is shining in Las Vegas Summer League
But the biggest surprise of the game was another outstanding performance from Trey Alexander. The rookie out of Creighton is signed to a two-way deal, but he’s been the clear best or second-best player on the floor. He looks extremely comfortable with the ball, setting up much of the offense and hitting shots when called for.
He fought on defense as well and looks like an all-around gamer. It’s just Summer League, but Alexander pretty clearly looks like he belongs and can more than hold his own. He has already leapfrogged Jalen Pickett in the offensive pecking order and has formed a bit of a 1-2 punch with Strawther.
Trey 🤝 Julian pic.twitter.com/6fs975oJLI
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) July 15, 2024
If Alexander can keep this up, the team is going to have to seriously think about finding a way to convert him to a standard contract. Shooting, ballhandling, playmaking, and poise are things the Nuggets need badly and so far it looks like Alexander may be able to provide them.
This is an extremely promising development as the Nuggets really need some young guys to pop this season. Alexander wasn’t necessarily supposed to be one of them, but at this point, the source almost doesn’t matter. If someone on the roster can step up and plug some holes, that’s what’s important.
Alexander still has a long way to go and a lot to prove, but through two Summer League games, it sure looks like the Nuggets may have stumbled upon a hidden gem.