Denver's Guard Depth Worsens as Pickett Joins Clippers
Edited by Casualplayhub News Editorial. Source: SI NBA. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
The Denver Nuggets have spent the summer quietly upgrading their frontcourt and wing depth, but a glaring hole in the backcourt is becoming impossible to ignore. While restricted free agent Peyton Watson commands the spotlight, the team's guard rotation has been quietly decimated. Jalen Pickett, whom the Nuggets declined to keep on a team option, has officially signed a two-way contract with the LA Clippers, as reported by HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. This move closes the door on Denver re-signing the 26-year-old, who shot 39% from three over three seasons with the franchise after being selected 32nd overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Compounding the issue, Bruce Brown—a key contributor during the 2023 championship run—is highly unlikely to return this summer.
Denver's guard room now looks thin. The roster includes Jamal Murray and Christian Braun as starters, with Tyus Jones, Julian Strawther, and two-way player KJ Simpson providing bench support. The Nuggets still have two standard contracts available, and one is expected to be used for Watson. That leaves a single slot to address the backcourt, yet the free-agent market is moving slowly. The departures of Pickett, Brown, and Tim Hardaway Jr. have left a noticeable void. Is a bench duo of Jones and Strawther enough to contend for a title? Probably not. Strawther has shown flashes of scoring punch—he dropped 15 points in the second half of Game 6 against the Thunder in May 2025—but he must fill Hardaway's role consistently. Jones, a steady hand at the point, is better suited as a third-string option.
Denver also holds two open two-way slots. One is likely earmarked for rookie forward Bryce Hopkins, who remains unsigned more than a month after the draft. The other could be used for additional backcourt help. Yet the irony is that both Pickett and Brown might have offered more than the current options. There is still a sliver of hope that Brown returns, but the Nuggets' biggest roster hole remains unsolved. As free agency drags on, Denver could take a flier on guards like Bradley Beal, Cameron Thomas, Gabe Vincent, Aaron Holiday, or Brandon Williams. However, a reunion with Russell Westbrook or Bruce Brown would likely have a greater impact. Westbrook, despite a sour end to his 2024-25 tenure with the Nuggets, could provide the high-energy backup point guard they need. Until the front office makes a move, the team's backcourt depth will be a major talking point. Competing in the grueling Western Conference with Jones, Strawther, and Simpson as the only backup guards seems untenable, and the front office surely knows it.
Article commentary
The Nuggets' front office faces a delicate balancing act. Prioritizing Peyton Watson's restricted free agency is understandable, but neglecting the backcourt could prove costly. The loss of Jalen Pickett and the likely departure of Bruce Brown leave a gap that Tyus Jones and Julian Strawther cannot fully cover. Denver's championship window remains open, but the Western Conference is unforgiving. A shrewd signing—perhaps a reunion with Russell Westbrook or a low-risk flier on a scorer like Cameron Thomas—could stabilize the rotation. The front office must act decisively; otherwise, the team risks wasting another year of Nikola Jokic's prime.