The Denver Nuggets entered the 2025 Summer League with a bit of a weird vibe. Honestly, it was a quiet summer for Calvin Booth and the front office—at least on the surface. They didn't have a single pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Not one. That's kinda rare for a team that usually loves to hunt for "value" in the second round.
Instead, the Denver Nuggets summer league roster became a playground for undrafted hungry guys and a very important "redshirt" rookie.
If you were watching the Thomas & Mack Center in July, you saw a team that started slow. They lost their first three games. It felt a bit disjointed. But then, something clicked. They finished with two straight wins, including a gritty performance against the Clippers. But forget the record; Summer League is about finding that one guy who can actually survive a playoff rotation with Nikola Jokic.
Why the Denver Nuggets Summer League Roster Mattered This Year
Most people look at a Summer League roster and just see a bunch of names that will be playing in Lithuania by October. But Denver is different. This is a team that is notoriously "expensive." With the big contracts of Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr., they have to hit on cheap talent.
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They need guys who can hit an open three and not lose their man on defense. Basically, they're looking for the next Christian Braun or Peyton Watson.
This year, the spotlight was firmly on DaRon Holmes II. Remember, the Nuggets traded up to get him in 2024, but he tore his Achilles in the very first Summer League game last year. Seeing him back on the court in 2025 was the biggest win of the month. He didn't just play; he looked like the best player on the floor. He averaged 13 points and nearly 10 rebounds over four games. That’s massive. His 19-point, 17-rebound explosion against the Clippers was exactly what the coaching staff needed to see.
The Names You Need to Know
The roster was a mix of familiar faces and "who is that?" types. Hunter Tyson was back for another run, and Jalen Pickett was trying to prove he belongs after a rough rookie year. But the real stories were the undrafted guys who snatched the spotlight.
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- Curtis Jones (Iowa State): This kid was a flamethrower. Honestly, he was one of the elite shooters in the entire Vegas circuit. He averaged 14.6 points and shot a blistering 46.7% from deep. Denver didn't wait long—they signed him to a two-way contract almost immediately after the tournament ended.
- Spencer Jones (Stanford): Not to be confused with Curtis, Spencer is a 6-foot-7 wing who just fits the Nuggets' mold. He’s a "3-and-D" guy through and through. He had a 17-point game where he hit five threes. In the NBA today, you can never have enough guys with that size who can shoot.
- Reece Beekman (Virginia): He didn't score much, but he played like a "pro." He averaged 6 assists and 2 steals per game. His defense is legit. In a system where the ball is always moving, having a guard who doesn't turn it over and can lock up the opposing point guard is a luxury.
It wasn't all sunshine, though. Jalen Pickett struggled again. He shot just 20.8% from the field in his four games. It’s starting to feel like the "Pickett Experiment" might be running out of time, especially with the way the younger, undrafted guards played.
A Different Look on the Sideline
Another thing people missed: the coaching. Andrew Munson took the reins again as the Summer League head coach. There’s been some chatter lately—especially on Reddit and in local Denver media—about the tension between the front office and the main coaching staff regarding youth development. Watching how Munson used these guys gave us a hint of how the front office wants the team to play: fast, versatile, and heavy on the shooting.
What This Means for the 2025-26 Season
The Denver Nuggets summer league roster wasn't just a July distraction. It actually solved some problems. By the time training camp rolled around, we saw guys like Spencer Jones and Curtis Jones pushing for actual minutes.
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If you’re a Nuggets fan, the takeaway is clear: the "internal growth" strategy isn't just a buzzword. They are betting big on DaRon Holmes II being the backup big man they've lacked since... well, since ever. His ability to switch on defense and hit the occasional three (he shot 42% from deep in Vegas) changes the geometry of the second unit.
Also, keep an eye on those two-way spots. The Nuggets moved on from guys like Trey Alexander and PJ Hall because they saw higher ceilings in the shooters they found this summer. It’s a ruthless business, but that’s what happens when you’re chasing another ring.
Your Next Steps
- Watch the Tape: Go back and look at DaRon Holmes II's highlights from the Clippers game. The mobility for a guy coming off an Achilles tear is staggering.
- Track the Two-Ways: Follow Curtis Jones’ stats in the G-League. If his shooting holds up at that volume, he’ll be on the main roster by the All-Star break.
- Ignore the Record: Remember, the Nuggets went 2-3 in Vegas, but the development of the "Jones duo" matters more than a win in July.