Five Nuggets to pay attention to at Summer League

 

LAS VEGAS — No one was looking forward to this day more than Michael Porter Jr.

This weekend in Las Vegas, Porter was supposed to reap the rewards of patience and belief. Two back surgeries, trips to and from countless chiropractors and physical therapists, a full season spent on the sidelines watching the Nuggets win 54 games, it was all going to culminate in his debut Friday night at Summer League in Denver’s opening matchup versus the Phoenix Suns (9:30 MST, ESPN).

However, Porter will likely miss the Las Vegas showcase and his Nuggets’ debut will have to wait. A knee sprain that he suffered in the closing moments of Denver’s scrimmage Wednesday night will test his patience and belief even more. After another setback, Denver is still confident in Porter’s long-term outlook based on what the 6-foot-10 forward has already shown this summer.

“The most important thing is what we’ve seen so far from him and how excited we are,” Nuggets Summer League coach Jordi Fernandez said. “We’re not worried at all about it. He’s been part of this training camp he’s played, competed so we know the type of player he’ll be for us, and he’s gotten better with all the work that he’s put in. Yes, it’s unfortunate but as I said he’ll be back soon.”

Even without Porter, Denver’s Summer League roster still includes a handful of intriguing names, some of which could play a role for the Nuggets’ varsity team this fall.

Jarred Vanderbilt

Forward/Center | 6-foot-9 | 20-years-old | Summer League role: Secondary scorer, playmaking forward

After flashing the unique skill-set in the G League last season that had the Nuggets smiling from ear to ear after they drafted the 6-foot-9 forward in the second round in 2018, Vanderbilt will be a featured player for Denver at Summer League. He’s a natural rebounder with a great feel around the basket and can also be a grab-and-go big man who’s comfortable pushing the ball up the floor in transition. His playmaking and ability to lead the fastbreak reminds you of Pascal Siakam and Lamar Odom and he has the potential to be the power forward of the future for the Nuggets next to Nikola Jokic. Don’t be surprised if Vanderbilt initiates offense for Denver from the top of the key in Las Vegas just like the Nuggets’ All-Star center does on a nightly basis.

Vlatko Cancar

Forward | 6-foot-8 | 22-years-old | Summer League role: Glue guy

Cancar had an impressive Summer League performance last season which he parlayed into a strong campaign for San Pablo Burgos where he was named one of the top-5 young players in Spain’s ACB League, largely considered the best basketball league in the world after the NBA. Cancar is a versatile forward who does a little bit of everything. He has potential as a jump shooter but only hit 32.7% of his 3s last season, and showed the ability to get to the rim a bit last summer. Defensively, Cancar is a high IQ player who knows where to position himself on that end of the floor and brings a workmanlike and unselfish attitude to the court. The Nuggets like Cancar’s ability to play multiple positions on offense and guard multiple spots on defense, his ability to play-make and shoot the ball. Cancar will likely slide into Porter’s spot in the starting lineup next to Vanderbilt, Thomas Welsh, Brandon Goodwin and Terence Davis.

“He’s a player we believe in for our future,” said Nuggets Summer League coach Jordi Fernandez.

Brandon Goodwin

Guard | 6-foot-2 | 23-years-old | Summer League role: Lead guard, offensive initiator

I’m no shark and whatever you do don’t bet on Summer League. But if you’re really itching for some action, Brandon Goodwin’s a good bet to lead Summer League in scoring and you could probably find some pretty favorable odds if a sportsbook is willing to entertain the prop. Goodwin averaged 22 points per game in the G League last season and can score from all three levels. He shot 38% from 3 and isn’t afraid to pull-up in transition and let it fly. He’ll have the ball in his hands a ton in Las Vegas and will have plenty of opportunities to score. The Nuggets like Goodwin’s makeup and think the time he spent around the team last season helped.

“He’s grown,” Fernandez said. “I think I’ve used that word a lot, but all of our kids, they’re not kids anymore. Now they make their own bed and do their own laundry. I think he can run the show.”

Terence Davis

Guard | 6-foot-4 | 22-years-old | Summer League role: Secondary creator, lockdown defender

An athletic above-the-rim guard, Davis will likely start in Denver’s backcourt opposite of Brandon Goodwin at Summer League. Last season at Mississippi, he averaged 15.2 points per game, shot 44.4% from the field and 37.1% from 3 to go with 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He’s an explosive leaper and can thrive as a secondary creator in the half-court. Defensively, Davis’ 6-foot-8 wingspan gives him versatility on that end of the floor and he has the strength to guard up to three or four positions. He was mocked to go in the second round by many draft experts and if Davis’ 3-point shooting translates to the next level he could stick in the league.

“He’s an NBA player. He can guard. He’s been making shots. But if he can consistently do that, that’s what makes him an NBA player,” Fernandez said. “He really guards his position. The days I’ve been around him he seems to be extremely professional, a really good teammate and I think a guy that is willing to accept his role. A lot of these kids that come from college and they’re superstars, he’s coming here being a role player and I think that opens up everything for him.”

Davis told BSN Denver that he turned down offers from multiple teams who wanted to draft the Mississippi guard in the second round last month and sign him to a two-way contract. Instead, Davis chose to bet on himself and fight for a full-time NBA deal. He’s already drawing interest from multiple teams who might want to sign him, according to a league source, and Brooklyn, Golden State, Chicago, Philadelphia, Minnesota and Sacramento were among the teams who had interest in Davis prior to the draft.

Jae’Sean Tate

Guard | 6-foot-4 | 23-years-old | Summer League role: Guard depth

A benefactor of Porter’s injury, Tate will see more playing time in Las Vegas than previously thought. He played in the Belgian League last season after a four-year run at Ohio State and averaged 11.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game across both league and Champions League competition. Tate is a power guard who’s comfortable taking his man off the dribble but also can operate out of the post if he’s being guarded by a smaller or like-sized defender. He’s also shown the ability to hit from 3 and converted on 44% of his attempts from distance last year.