Nuggets training camp capsules: Axel Toupane

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In the buildup to training camp beginning Sept. 27, BSN Denver is profiling the Nuggets roster player by player, reflecting on their performance last year and what they have to prove in training camp, preseason, and throughout the regular season to have a productive 2016-17 campaign.

Player Profile

Axel Toupane, 6-foot-7, 197 pounds

2015-16 season averages: 21 games (0 starts), 14.5 minutes, 3.6 points (35.7FG%, 32.5 3PT%), 1.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists

Projected role: Reserve 3-and-D specialist

Training camp outlook

Axel Toupane seems to be leading the pack to grab the 15th roster spot of the Denver Nuggets. He is currently gearing up to compete with the likes of Nate Wolters, DJ Kennedy, Jarnell Stokes, Robbie Hummel and, his teammate from last year, JaKarr Sampson to decide who stays in Denver this season.

Toupane is coming off of a very productive summer. He was seemingly the best one-on-one defender on the Nuggets summer league team and showed the ability to handle the ball that was not a part of his game when playing with the Nuggets last season. Toupane is an above-average slasher and moves very well off the ball. His basketball IQ and work ethic fit hand in hand with the culture being instilled in Denver and, given the recent injuries to Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler, having an athletic wing player who is a jack-of-all-trades could be very helpful.

While Toupane seems to be the leader for the 15th roster spot, he has some heavy competition at camp that will be doing everything to dethrone him. Toupane will need to show the handle he displayed in Las Vegas was not an anomaly and he has improved his shooting stroke. Being that he weighs slightly less than 200 pounds is also an issue. While he looked larger at Summer League, he will need to prove that he has the strength to guard power forwards if needed while keeping his agility to cover quicker guards. He has a long way to go before he is a legitimate rotation player at the NBA level but it seems he has the tools to make it in the Association.

A team can never have too many athletic 6-foot-7 wings nowadays. With defenses having to play out on the perimeter more than ever before it is Toupane’s ability to guard positions 2-4 while not hurting the offense that puts him in the lead for the remaining roster spot.

If he can learn to handle the ball and become an offensive plus then the Nuggets may have a solid rotation player on their hands. Look for Toupane to come into training camp with the intent to prove that his development from the end of last season to summer league is not a fluke but that he is here to stay. The Denver Nuggets have a need for another wing and it is now up to Toupane to prove that he belongs with the team.