1 undrafted Nuggets 2026 NBA Summer League star who could make roster

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1 undrafted Nuggets 2026 NBA Summer League star who could make roster

Bailey Bassett, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Tue, Jul 21, 2026 ·

4 min read

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1 undrafted Nuggets 2026 NBA Summer League star who could make roster appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

The Denver Nuggets considered drastic changes this offseason after they were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Christian Braun , Aaron Gordon , and Cam Johnson were rumored as trade candidates, Peyton Watson was reported to be a priority to bring back , and the team was on LeBron James' short list of free agent suitors.

With a good chunk of free agency already in the rearview, though, the team hasn't made a blockbuster trade, Watson remains unsigned, and James has seemingly eliminated the Nuggets from contention. The Nuggets still have roster spots to fill out, and considering a splashy move never came to fruition, the team may be forced to sign an unheralded player, such as a former undrafted prospect who has stood out during the NBA Summer League.

Mark Sears may have played himself onto the Nuggets roster

The Nuggets summer league roster was filled with unheralded players. Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins were the team's two standout performers, and both of them were just selected in the second round. In fact, the team didn't have a single former first-rounder on their roster, which allowed for second-rounders, undrafted prospects, and international players to prove their worth.

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One player who did just that was Mark Sears. The Alabama product was one of the best players in the nation during his time in college. He was a First-Team All-American in 2025 and a two-time First-Team All-SEC player. Sears is perhaps best known for the Crimson Tide's March Madness run in 2025, which included a record-breaking performance in which the team made 25 3-pointers in a game. Sears also retired 19th on the all-time Division I scoring list.

Despite this lofty collegiate resume, few scouts viewed the undersized guard as a player whose skill set would translate to the NBA game, so he went undrafted in 2025. The Milwaukee Bucks gave Sears a two-way contract, and while he didn't see the court much with the big league team, he did find success in the G-League for the Wisconsin Herd.

The point guard averaged 19.1 points and 5.5 assists per game while knocking down 41.8% of his 3-pointers. The shooting and playmaking production was in line with what Sears did during the NBA Summer League, where he averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 assists, and made 35.3% of his long bombs. Sears' game is reminiscent of Jalen Brunson , a fellow lefty and a player who was similarly devalued coming out of college despite being a massively successful player in the amateur ranks. Now, Brunson was a two-time national champion and a National College Player of the Year in college, and he has since developed into one of the best point guards in the NBA and an NBA Finals MVP.

Nobody has that high of expectations for Sears. He wouldn't be a free agent if teams thought he had the potential to become even half of what Brunson is. The second-year guard has done enough to earn a contract from an NBA team, though, and he certainly could become a solid backup point guard for a Denver Nuggets team in need of depth at the position.

The Nuggets' only true point guards on the roster are Jamal Murray and Tyus Jones . Murray had the best season of his career last season and is an All-Star-caliber player, but he also has a history of injuries. Jones impressed in limited time in Denver last season, but he really struggled with the Orlando Magic before the Nuggets got him in the buyout market.

Sears isn't the average young and unproven player. He could step up when called upon for the Nuggets, and considering he fits a position of need and just had a solid Summer League performance, Denver should give him a chance.

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