Nuggets rookie Trey Alexander's steady scoring translating to Summer League | NBA Insider

Denver Gazette beat writer Vinny Benedetto takes you around the NBA and inside the Nuggets:

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A former high school coach helped Nuggets Summer League coach Andrew Munson have a better idea what the Nuggets have in rookie Trey Alexander.

During his high school days at Sioux City East in Iowa, Munson was coached by Jeff Vanderloo, now the director of basketball operations at Creighton where Alexander spent his three collegiate seasons. Through two Summer League games, the former Bluejay who went undrafted is looking like a steal on a two-way contract.

“I’ve been watching a lot of Creighton, watched a lot of Trey. Really encouraging. You can tell he comes from a great program, and he hasn’t missed a beat since he’s gotten here. He’s picked up everything really quick,” Munson said after Denver’s Summer League opener Friday in Las Vegas.

“To come out in your first Summer League game and not played rushed like that and be that under control was pretty impressive.”

In his first game as a professional the 6-foot-3 combo guard registered 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal in nearly 26 minutes off the bench. He followed that up with an even better performance Sunday against the Raptors, posting 18 points, five assists, four rebounds, two steals and a block in 31 minutes as a starter. Through two games, Alexander is 11 of 20 from the field, including a 4-for-9 start from 3-point range.

“I just feel like I proved that I belong. I feel like I impact winning. I feel like that’s something I’ve always wanted to carry over at every level that I’ve played,” Alexander said in an Altitude interview after Sunday’s game.

“Whether it’s offense or defense, whether shots are falling or not, I’m going to play my hardest and try to impact winning.”

The 21-year-old did a good job of that in college. The Bluejays played in nine NCAA Tournament games in his college career. As a freshman, they lost to Christian Braun’s Kansas squad that went onto win the national championship by seven in the second round. The next year, Creighton was a couple of seconds away from making the program’s first Final Four appearance. An eight-point loss to Tennessee in the Sweet 16 of this year’s tournament ended Alexander’s college career. He started 85 of his 107 college games, averaging 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists while primarily playing as a shooting guard last year. What he lacks in elite explosiveness is made up for by his ability to score at all three levels, highlighted by a potent midrange game. That’s something that’s translated through two Summer League contests.

“Exactly what you saw from him at Creighton, the ability to get his own shot really helps when they’re switching like that,” Munson said.

“He really stepped up for us, just a really, really mature player. (He) never gets rushed. He’s a guy you can just trust out there.”

WHAT I’M THINKING

The DaRon Holmes II injury is as unfortunate as it gets on multiple fronts.

First, and most importantly, the torn Achilles tendon is a brutal setback weeks after the 21-year-old after achieving a dream and being selected with the 22nd overall pick. He flashed potential in the first half of his professional debut before a seemingly innocuous defensive possession resulted in an injury that will cost the big man the upcoming season.

On the Nuggets' front, it puts more pressure on Vlatko Cancar, who missed all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, to produce off the bench next season. Denver will likely apply for a disabled player exception (DPE), but it won’t be very helpful. The DPE doesn’t create an extra roster spot and is only good for half of the injured player’s salary. Holmes, who signed his rookie scale contract, is set to make just over $3 million next season. Half of that number is less than the veteran minimum contract, so the most logical use of the exception would be on the buyout market later in the regular season. Assuming the Nuggets sign a player to occupy the 15th roster spot before the season begins, Denver would also have to free up a roster spot to do so.

The only silver lining for Holmes and the Nuggets is the opportunity for the versatile big man to watch and learn for a full year before he’s asked to contribute. Holmes seemed in good spirits, as he headed into surgery Monday morning in Denver.

“(On the way) to surgery, wanted to thank everyone who reached out it really means a lot! It was very cool to see how many people care, people I would never expect,” Holmes posted on X. “Human nature can be a beautiful thing, man. With that being said… I’ll be back and better soon! Let’s get to work.”

WHAT I’M FOLLOWING

- The Nuggets remain the most likely landing spot for Russell Westbrook, according to a report from The Athletic. The only issue is how that happens. Westbrook opted into his player option worth $4 million for next season, so he won’t be a free agent unless the Clippers decide to waive him.

- DaRon Holmes Sr. took to X to express his appreciation for the support his son received after his injury in Friday’s Summer League opener. “Our family is humbled by and thankful for the outpour of well-wishes. Today, we pivot from our devastation towards understanding his road to recovery. Several NBA players have endured this injury & have gone on to productive careers. Expect Deuce to add his name to that list!” Holmes posted Saturday afternoon.

- A few former Nuggets Summer Leaguers made the trip to support this year’s squad. Christian Braun, Peyton Watson and Zeke Nnaji all attended Friday’s game, as did Michael Malone and most of his staff. Aaron Gordon joined the group for Sunday’s game against Toronto.

- During the NBA TV broadcast of Friday’s game, Malone said he expects to have a competition for the starting shooting guard role vacated by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Expect Christian Braun and Julian Strawther to be the main contenders for that role.

- Peyton Watson took another step to becoming a fan favorite by renting out some local theatres and purchasing nearly 150 tickets for fans to see “Despicable Me 4.” Fans can find a link to sign up for tickets on Watson’s X account.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Calvin Booth joined SiriusXM’s NBA Radio to talk Jamal Murray and sounded optimistic a contract extension will get done as soon as Canada’s run in the Olympics is done.

“We’re very interested in getting something done with him. The Olympics are a big deal, and I think having him focus on that, get through that and when he gets back and that concludes, I think it will be pretty easy. I don’t think it will be much of a negotiation,” Booth said.

Altitude caught up with Braun and Watson ahead of their third season with the Nuggets. Watson said he’s been working with Denver’s shooting coach at home in Los Angeles.

“My guy Mike Penberthy, who works with the Denver Nuggets, is out there, and I’ve just been training out there, lifting a lot, getting better and just trying to get as sharp as I can before the month of August,” Watson said. “Then, I’ll start playing again.”

Braun shared what former teammate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope meant to his development, as Braun looks to fill the opening in Denver’s starting five.

“I sent him a text,” Braun said. “I just appreciate everything he’s taught me. Obviously, playing the same position, I learned so much whether it was defensively or offense. He was always the first guy to help everybody out. He’s a really good guy to have around, a good guy to have in the locker room. Obviously, I appreciate everything he did for me. I just got to take little things that I saw, little things that he taught me and apply them.”

WHAT I’M READING

I’m not sure anyone in Denver media works harder and does a better job of covering a wide variety of events than our Tyler King. While in Las Vegas for Big XII and Mountain West media days, TK managed to sneak in some hoops. He wrote about Jamal Murray after Canada’s exhibition loss to the United States and finished his trip with the first day of Summer League where he caught up with former Colorado star Tristan Da Silva and the Nuggets’ star on the first night of games, Julian Strawther.

THE LIST

Summer League is just a few days old, but here are three of the best rookie performers so far.

1. Reed Sheppard, Houston

Crow is on the menu in the Benedetto household this week. After doubting the value in picking Sheppard at No. 3, the 6-foot-1 guard has been the rookie star of Summer League so far. He posted 23 points on 17 shots, including a 4-of-6 mark from 3-point range, in Houston’s opener, adding five assists, four rebounds, three blocks and a steal. He showed a different skillset in the second game, scoring 22 points on 15 shots despite going 1 for 5 from deep. He added seven assists, six rebounds and five steals in his second game. One-and-done guards from Kentucky remain the safest lottery picks.

2. Bub Carrington, Washington

The 18-year-old out of Pittsburgh nearly posted a triple-double in his Summer League debut, dropping 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to beat the Hawks on Friday. The 6-foot-5 guard followed that up with 18 points, five assists and four rebounds in his second game against Sheppard and the Rockets on Sunday. Washington should be thrilled with its two lottery picks so far, as Alex Sarr, the second overall pick, has looked like an NBA-ready defender.

3. Terrance Shannon Jr., Minnesota

The former Illini’s first professional bucket was a highlight dunk, and the 6-foot-6 wing went on to finish his opener with 25 points on 14 shots. He grabbed a few rebounds and blocked a couple of shots, leading the Timberwolves past the Pelicans. He followed that up with 19 points, four rebounds and three blocks against Indiana to help Minnesota to a 2-0 start.