If by the end of the Nuggets’ season we are talking about a breakout campaign for Julian Strawther, it will almost certainly be due to opportunity. As in, real opportunity. It’s all he’s ever needed.
However, it’s not what he has really ever gotten.
So let’s just start by defining “real opportunity.”
In Strawther’s case, I’m defining it as at least 20 minutes every single night. And probably something more like 25 minutes per night, every night, and zero DNP-CDs (Did Not Play - Coach’s Decision).
In 2024-25 he was getting close to those types of minutes — 21.5 minutes per game in 65 games, and sprinkled in four starts as well. Last season, that dropped to just 15.1 minutes per game in just 57 appearances. But here’s the thing: His production per minute increased even as his minutes and games played decreased. He shot career highs from the field (46.7 percent) and the 3-point line (38.7 percent). His Per 36 averages were 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
That’s production the Nuggets need.
Nuggets coach David Adelman heaped a ton of praise on Strawther late last season after a game against Oklahoma City in which the sharpshooter scored 22 points, including four 3-point makes. No starters played in that game, which is why Strawther had the opportunity to play significant minutes and had the green light to unflinchingly look for his shot.
And yet, after complementing Strawther on his improvement and how he handled himself the entirety of the season, Adelman then made the point that has hindered the young player from getting more playing time during his first three years in the NBA.
“When we are fully healthy, there will be guys that have to sacrifice,” Adelman said. “He’ll be one of them.”
There are skillsets the Nuggets desperately need that Strawther brings to the table. He’s one of the better 3-point shooters on the team. He can break down his defender 1 on 1 and get his own shot — something the Nuggets are in dire need of. He scores in the midrange with an increasingly reliable floater. He posted his best defensive rating (113.5) and the first positive net rating (1.5) of his career last season. If defense is the reason coaches have been reluctant to regularly play Strawther in the past, he has shown improvement year over year every season he’s been in the league.
I’d expect that trend to continue.
Still, it appears Strawther, who is a restricted free agent after this season, will be caught up in a numbers game. He is not likely to be consistently put on the court as reserves DeMar DeRozan, Tyus Jones, Spencer Jones and Marvin Bagley III are expected to be the next four in the rotation after the starting five. That leaves Strawther to fight for the scarce minutes left, while again not playing at all on some nights.
I hope that isn’t the case. With his work ethic, his professionalism to not complain and just be ready to play when his number is called, his size and skill and ability to score at all three levels, this is a player that has the potential to be a major cog on a winning team.
The Nuggets deserve to reap the rewards of his talent.