Michael Malone knows what he's looking for in the Nuggets' backup power forward

BOULDER — While the Nuggets’ starting lineup is settled aside from point guard, coach Michael Malone is using training camp to see which of Denver’s bench pieces fit best in crafting together his second unit.

Kenneth Faried and Trey Lyles are in competition for Denver’s backup power forward spot while Malone also knows he can slide Wilson Chandler or Juancho Hernangomez to the four as well.

Overall, Malone believes “fit” will determine his permanent backup power forward.

“It’s going to be a really tough decision,” Malone said. “Millsap’s our starting four. We have so many guys that can fill that backup spot. We can go small with Wilson (Chandler) and Juancho (Hernangomez), you can play big and have Nikola (Jokic) and Mason (Plumlee) out there together and the battle between Kenneth Faried and Trey Lyles is a great one to watch. Two completely different players. It’s not just the one person, it’s the fit on the floor with the players around them.”

On paper, the best fit on Denver’s second unit is Lyles. The 21-year-old shot an encouraging 38.3 percent from distance during his rookie season but that number fell to 31.9 percent in what amounted to a throwaway second year for the Kentucky product. Still, Lyles is a threat from three-point range, a characteristic that’s valuable to Denver’s bench considering whoever assumes that spot in the Nuggets’ rotation will play significant minutes next to a non-shooter in Mason Plumlee and potentially Emmanuel Mudiay.

“You put Trey Lyles next to Mason Plumlee. I think those guys compliment each other very well,” Malone said at Thursday’s practice.

Lyles, who lost 15 pounds this summer comes into Nuggets’ training camp in great shape. He can run a number of different lanes on offense, is versatile in the halfcourt, and can put the ball on the floor and attack the hoop.

But Faried’s athleticism can’t be understated. “The Manimal” is the Nuggets’ best rebounder and their biggest lob threat around the rim. His short corner gravity helped grease Denver’s wheels on offense last season but that was next to Jokic, not the paint-tied Plumlee.

In 61 games last year, Faried averaged 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in just 21.2 minutes per game — the least amount of minutes he’s averaged in his career. He paired with Jokic to form Denver’s most efficient two-man frontcourt combination.

“Kenneth has been impressive with his motor, with his energy and just getting extra possessions and dominating the glass,” Malone said.

When asked whether he would classify the power forward position as “an open competition,” Malone said he would.

Just as Denver plans to alternate between Jamal Murray and Mudiay as their starting point guard over their first three preseason games, expect them to do the same with Faried and Lyles.

At media day, Faried said he’s planning to compete for Denver’s starting power forward position even though Millsap assumed that spot upon his arrival in Denver this summer.

“Kenneth, he plays hard. He does what he’s supposed to do. He’s an energy guy, a really good defender, and rebounder,” Lyles said. “He makes sure I stay active defensively and makes sure that I’m paying attention at all times because he’s a crasher.”