The Denver Nuggets
' offseason is in full swing. And as they pursue LeBron James
and other free agents to round out
the roster, the Nuggets will have a focus on the youth of the squad for some of those spots. They'll get actual game-time glimpses of their draft picks, undrafted free agents, and two-way players at the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League, kicking off on July 9th.
The roster is set, but there are truly just four Nuggets we need to keep our eyes on. Four players with the most hype, hope, and excitement around them. The top four with the best chances to make the Nuggets for the 2026-27 season.
Advertisement
4. K.J. Simpson, 6'2", guard, 23 years old
Simpson joined the Nuggets last season on a two-way contract and played six games, but really only saw the floor in garbage time. He'll have a chance to shine as the most seasoned NBA player on the team, having two years of experience as a two-way player. Simpson played his college ball locally, at CU Boulder, and a strong summer league showing could lead him back to the Mile High City on another two-way deal.
3. Aaron Nkrumah, 6'6", wing, 24 years old
Nkrumah is an undrafted rookie from Tennessee State who averaged 17.7 points in his senior year. But it's the 2.8 steals per game and the chaos level of defense he creates on the perimeter that puts him on the Nuggets' radar. Nkrumah is very fast, and his quickness allows him to get into the passing lanes to create steals. Clearly, the defense is what to watch for Nkrumah as he makes his case for a two-way spot on the Nuggets roster.
Advertisement
2. Bryce Hopkins
, 6'7", forward, 23 years old
The Nuggets selected Hopkins with the 49th pick
in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft. Watch out for Hopkins to show some explosive athleticism and physicality to accompany his high-motor style of play. Hopkins can score in the paint, shoot from beyond the arc, rebound well, and he plays good defense, registering 1.1 steals in his senior year out of St. John's.
Hopkins has a great chance to be on the Nuggets on a minimum-salary rookie contract or as a two-way player.
1. Trevon Brazile, 6'10", forward, 23 years old
Brazile, the Nuggets' top draft pick at number 35
of the second round, has one problem for the Nuggets nearly solved all by himself. Brazile is an athletic specimen, and he's going to be a rim-protecting chaos maker in the paint. He can jump very high, with a 41.5" vertical leap, and long arms that make it easy for him to cover and help on the weak side.
Advertisement
Brazile plays great defense, averaging 1.5 steals and 1.6 blocks as a senior at Arkansas. And on offense, he's a lob machine. Just throw it up around the rim, and he'll find a way to get to it for the dunk.
His game profiles very similarly to that of former Nugget legend Chris "Birdman" Anderson. Birdman was exciting to watch, always full of energy off the bench. If Brazile turns out like that, the Nuggets got a steal.
Today's best reads
This article was originally published on www.nugglove.com as Ranking the 4 most exciting Nuggets at Las Vegas Summer League 2026
.
