The Denver Nuggets are the defending NBA champions, but they have a lot of work to do to get back to the Finals. The Nuggets still have one of the top players in the Association — Nikola Jokic — and one of the top starting lineups. However, the Nuggets will have nearly an entire second unit after losing Bruce Brown and Jeff Green in free agency and Vlatko Cancar to likely season-ending injury. So, who will fill the void?
Denver Nuggets Rumors: Peyton Watson, Injuries and Backup Center Competition
Denver retained Reggie Jackson and brought in free agent Justin Holiday, both of whom are expected to contribute to the second unit. Second-year wing Christian Braun is slated to be the Nuggets’ sixth man of the year. Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther, and Hunter Tyson are likely battling for the Nuggets final spot on the second unit.
Peyton Watson Wants To Show He Belongs
Speaking of Watson, the 21-year-old wing told Harrison Wind of ThDnvr.com that he’ll have a breakout season. According to Wind, Watson said that he has three goals. First, he hopes to be a consistent rotation player and someone who contributes to every game. He wants to help the Nuggets win their second NBA championship and become the first team since the Warriors in 2018 to go back-to-back. Watson also wants to make the Rising Stars game this season.
“I feel like I’m one of the best second-year guys in the league,” Watson said.
Watson didn’t play very much last season, accumulating 186 minutes over 23 games, including two starts. He did shoot it well in his limited opportunities, connecting on 49.2% from the field and 42.3% from the 3-point line.
Not only is Watson an excellent shooter, but he also has elite defensive tools with a 7-foot wingspan.
But Watson knows he will have to seize the opportunity.
“No opportunity is given. I understand that whatever I want, I gotta take it. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to do that. I’ve always been that way. When I go out there, it’s just me and the ball. These are my teammates; these are my brothers. We’re going to be competing for the same team and to win another championship. But at the end of the day, if I want that opportunity, I gotta go out and take it.”
Watson Has Strong First Preseason Game
That is exactly what Watson did in the Nuggets’ first preseason game, a 115-107 victory over Phoenix on Tuesday night. Watson was the second player off the bench for the Nuggets and saw 20 minutes of action. He scored 10 points on 3 of 4 shooting from the floor, 2 of 3 from the 3-point line, and 2 of 2 from the free throw line. Watson also grabbed three rebounds and recorded a steal and a block, though he fouled out and finished with a -4 plus/minus rating.
Strawther also played well, while Tyson struggled with his shot. Strawther, the 29th pick by the Indiana Pacers in this year’s draft, was lights out against the Suns. He finished the game with 20 points on 8 of 12 shooting from the field, including 4 of 7 from the 3-point line. The 21-year-old wing also grabbed five boards and doled out three assists.
Meanwhile, Tyson missed all six shots from the field and was 0 of 4 from the 3-point line. He did grab four boards, doled out two assists, and came up with a steal while recording a +7 rating.
Injuries
Two players did not play for the Nuggets against the Suns on Tuesday.
Michael Porter Jr. was the lone starter who didn’t suit up as the Nuggets are being extremely cautious, even though the injury is not serious. Porter tweaked his ankle during a practice earlier this month. Holiday started in his place, tallying five points and playing solid defense in 19 minutes.
Jamal Murray and Christian Braun were both limited at practice today, Michael Malone said. Murray was dealing with a hamstring, Malone said last week at training camp, but it wasn't serious. Braun's calf is bothering him, I'm told.
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) October 9, 2023
While Jamal Murray was dealing with a hamstring injury, he tossed in 12 points — on 5 of 11 shooting — and doled out five assists in 18 minutes of action.
Braun was the other player who sat out with a calf ailment. However, Porter and Murray are expected to play against Chicago on Thursday, as neither are listed on the Nuggets injury report.
Backup Center
Instead of using a traditional depth chart, coach Michael Malone may decide whether Zeke Nnaji or DeAndre Jordan serve as Jokic’s backup based on the opponent and situation, according to Bennett Durando of the Denver Post.
“I think sometimes it will depend on who we’re playing,” Malone said. “There are a few teams in the Western Conference that play really big, and those could be great games for D.J. We love the defensive versatility that Zeke brings in terms of being able to switch one through five. So having the balance of using either one of those guys depending on who you’re playing I think is helpful for us.”
Most nights, Nnaji will likely handle the bulk of the minutes. As long as he crashes the glass.
Nnaji is coming off a career season, though he didn’t really hit the glass. However, he did a fantastic job finishing around the rim. He averaged 5.2 points on 56.1% shooting from the field and 2.6 rebounds in 53 career appearances. Nnaji scored in double-figures eight times and produced a double-double.
For his part, Jordan isn’t concerned about his playing time per Durando.
“I want to win basketball games. I want to win another championship,” Jordan said. “I want to win with this group of guys. And we all have different pieces that make this machine work. Whoever’s out there, they give us the best chance to win. … I think this group last year was big on being selfless. And if it’s Zeke’s night, I’m going to be the first one that’s cheering for him because I want him to be successful.”
Jordan compiled 5.1 points on 76.5% shooting and 5.2 rebounds in 15 minutes of action over 38 games last season. The 35-year-old center scored in double-figures four times and posted two double-doubles.
