Summer League Takes: Hunter Tyson looks like a player

LAS VEGAS — The Nuggets dropped their Summer League opener 92-85 to the Milwaukee Bucks. Here’s what you need to know from Denver’s loss Friday afternoon.

Calvin Booth may have struck gold again with Hunter Tyson

There’s been a tremendous amount of hype building around Jalen Pickett ever since the Nuggets selected him 32nd overall in last month’s draft. Julian Strawther, Denver’s first-round selection, also drew plenty of praise over the last week of Nuggets’ Summer League practices. But the third of three draft picks that Calvin Booth made has flown under the radar.

That’s no longer the case.

Hunter Tyson came off the bench in the Nuggets’ Summer League opener to score 21 points on an efficient 7-13 shooting (3-7 3FG’s) to go with 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block in 27 minutes. It was a statement performance from the University of Clemson product who looked ready for the moment and opportunity.

“It was a hell of a game from him,” Peyton Watson said of Tyson. “He’s a big-time player and he’s a competitor first and foremost. As soon as the game started, you could just see his intensity and how focused he was. He’ll be fun to watch all Summer League.”

Tyson’s competitive fire did stand out in the Summer League setting, which shouldn’t be a surprise if you’re familiar with his game. The 23-year-old’s motor never stops running. He’s always operating in top gear. It’s a defining characteristic of Tyson’s game.

When Tyson came to Denver for a pre-draft workout, the Nuggets were impressed with his motor and how hard he competed. It helped convince Denver’s brass that Tyson had a shot at becoming a difference-maker in the NBA.

“That’s probably one of the reasons we might have drafted him,” Nuggets Summer League coach John Beckett said. “He plays really hard. He’s really competitive.”

Tyson says he’s always played with this level of competitiveness. Driveway battles with his younger brother Cade, who plays at Belmont University, growing up helped shape him as a player. But the boisterous fist pumps and emotion that Tyson showed in his Summer League debut? That caught his teammates off guard.

“Honestly, today kind of surprised me,” Watson said of the passion Tyson played with. “He looked like Hunter Watson.”

The first Heat Index of the summer.

Who stood out to you in G1 of Summer League? pic.twitter.com/BqW6FJA8E6

— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) July 7, 2023

Peyton Watson looks ready: Watson’s improvement from last season to this season and if he’s ready to move into the rotation full-time is the most pressing Nuggets storyline at Summer League. He looked the part for most of Friday’s game. Watson finished with a team-high 23 points (6-12 shooting), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. The second-year pro was in attack mode all night and got to the free-throw line 11 times. Watson still had a lot to improve on — he committed six fouls in 30 minutes and turned the ball over four times — but the tools are obviously there. His jumpshot still looks iffy too, but overall it was a healthy start to Summer League.

Jalen Pickett will be a factor this season: Pickett stuffed the stat sheet Friday, finishing with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. He operated at his own pace, played his game, and outperformed Collin Gillespie, who started at the other guard spot for Denver. There are many within Denver’s front office who believe Pickett will play his way into the Nuggets’ rotation early on this season. This was a solid step in that direction for the rookie.

Ismael Kamagate struggles: The Nuggets aren’t bringing Kamagate over from Europe this coming season, and you saw why against Milwaukee. Kamagate didn’t flash too often in his 22 minutes. He struggled to keep the 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall, who started at center for the Bucks, off the glass, and Kamagate still needs to get stronger and tougher inside.

The Nuggets are off Saturday, then take on the Hawks on Sunday in their second Summer League matchup.