Our 2018 Player Reviews conclude with a group of guys who filled out the back end of the Nuggets’ roster. Three of them — Monte Morris, Juancho Hernangomez and Malik Beasley — were first- or second-year players who could never quite break into the rotation. Two others — Darrell Arthur and Richard Jefferson — were battle-tested veterans there to provide guidance. Then there was Kenneth Faried, Denver’s starting power forward for much of the 2016-17 season, who struggled to earn minutes with the arrival of Paul Millsap and Trey Lyles.
Let’s start with the young guns.
Malik Beasley
Beasley is still learning how to fit in at basketball’s highest level. In his second year, the one-and-done guard out of Florida State appeared in 62 games and averaged 9.4 minutes. He has the tools to one day be a productive NBA player, but at this point he’s still raw. He doesn’t understand how to play in the rhythm of the offense; he still jacks up questionable shots too often.
Defensively, he showed some promise. Denver struggled defending at the point of attack this season. If Beasley focuses on perimeter defense and develops a serviceable outside shot, perhaps there could be some rotation minutes for him in year three.
FINAL LINE: 3.2 PTS, 41.0 FG%, 34.1 3P%, 1.1 REBS, 0.5 ASTS, 0.1 BLKS, 0.2 STLS, 0.4 TOVS
Juancho Hernangomez
A bout with mononucleosis derailed Hernangomez’s season. He was diagnosed with the virus in late October and never really found his footing after recovering. Hernangomez, who was part of the same 2016 draft class as Jamal Murray and Beasley, only appeared in 25 games. It’s a shame because he showed so much promise as a rookie.
Surely you haven’t forgotten about his 27-point, 10-rebound game against the Warriors in February 2017? Hernangomez drilled six three-pointers in the upset win.
In 2016-17, he was one of two rookies to shoot 40 percent on 100 three-point attempts or more. That smooth stroke, his talent for collecting offensive rebounds and his ability to make quick decisions is what makes him such an intriguing prospect. His defense will have to improve before he starts earning significant minutes, though.
FINAL LINE: 3.3 PTS, 38.7 FG%, 28.0 3P%, 2.2 REBS, 0.5 ASTS, 0.1 BLKS, 0.2 STLS, 0.4 TOVS
Monte Morris
A rookie Denver chose with the 51st selection, Morris spent most of his time in the G League. There were just too many guards ahead of him. Morris played well in Rio Grande, averaging 18 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists. The Nuggets will be on the hunt for a capable backup point guard this summer. The odds are they sign a veteran in free agency, but there’s a non-zero chance Morris wins the job. He’s a pure point guard who led the NCAA in assist-to-turnover ratio as a senior at Iowa State.
FINAL LINE: 3.3 PTS, 66.7 FG%, 0.7 REBS, 2.3 ASTS, 0.0 BLKS, 1.0 STLS, 0.3 TOVS
Kenneth Faried
When Millsap went down in November with a left wrist injury, it appeared the Nuggets would need Faried to take on a bigger role. He started 34 games in 2016-17 and looked like a perfect match with Nikola Jokic on the offensive end. Except that never really happened.
Instead, Trey Lyles soaked up most of those minutes. By the end of the season, Faried often was inactive and watched the game in street clothes. It will be interesting to see if there’s a role for Faried next season, or if he’s on the roster at all. He’s owed $13.8 million in 2017-18. It could be hard to move him without attaching a pick or another player as a sweetener.
FINAL LINE: 5.9 PTS, 51.4 FG%, 4.8 REBS, 0.6 ASTS, 0.4 BLKS, 0.4 STLS, 0.7 TOVS
Richard Jefferson
The 17-year NBA veteran didn’t do much on the court this season, but his podcast game was impressive. Jefferson hosted The Road Trippin’ Podcast. His guests included teammates Will Barton, Mason Plumlee, Millsap and Malik Beasley as well as other big names from around the league such as Harrison Barnes. If this was the end for Jefferson, he’s got a bright future in media.
FINAL LINE: 1.5 PTS, 44.4 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 0.9 REBS, 0.8 ASTS, 0.1 BLKS, 0.1 STLS, 0.3 TOVS
Darrell Arthur
Arthur was another veteran who didn’t see the court much, appearing in just 19 games. His numbers weren’t terribly impressive, but Arthur brought value from a leadership standpoint. Throughout the season, several Nuggets coaches and player made a point to say Arthur’s voice was one of the most respected in the room.
“He’s a special guy,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said in January. “He really is. He’s been around. Won a national championship in college. He’s been around some good players and coaches in the NBA in his long career. What really separates him is players have so much respect for Darrell Arthur.”
0 Comments (2 conversations)
If the Nuggets consider the talent level of Juancho to be greater than or equal to Joe Ingles, then they should take his year 3 and 4 development very seriously and not make excuses. Denver has to retain its above average talent at the 6th, 7th and 8th spots in the rotation if they are serious about competing in the Western Conference.
Talent? Sure. IQ, awareness, savvy, value, impact. Not close. He could be in line for more minutes next year. Too early to tell though.
Yes…that is why the Nuggets are at a critical juncture and transition with their young talent. Can they improve in the standings as a result of their 2014-2018 drafts from additional key players beside the clear hits of Jokic, Harris and Murray. Trades for better talent or veterans only helps if they want to play for Denver in the long term such as in the case of Will Barton. The “Best Players Play” rule still and always is in effect. Yet, Denver will move up in the standings faster when the young bench players of Lyles, Juancho, Beasley and Morris optimize their talent.