Denver Nuggets: Who starts at small forward spot?

After a successful 2018-19 season, the Denver Nuggets have four starters firmly in place. The small forward spot remains unknown at this time, however.

Because the Denver Nuggets finished second in the Western Conference last year, little is projected to change rotation-wise for 2019-20. One factor is up for review, however, as the Nuggets lacked a solid starter at small forward.

Denver’s stalwarts are Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap and Gary Harris. Take a good look, this group will start without question this season.

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Jokic was named All-NBA first team last year, averaging 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. Murray, meanwhile, upped his scoring to a career-high 18.2 points per game and leveled out his past inconsistencies.

Harris and Millsap were the defensive specialists, leading Denver to a 108.1 defensive rating (10th best in the league). The duo also proved reliable on the attacking end, averaging 12.9 and 12.6 points per game, respectively.

That fifth starter, aka the small forward spot, was passed between Will Barton, Torrey Craig and Juan Hernangomez. Each brings different tools to the table, but no one took the reins to become a permanent starter.

Now that Jerami Grant is in town and Malik Beasley is fresh off a career year, an interesting battle awaits. Let’s break down the candidates and predict an opening day starter.

The ‘Thrilling’ scorer

Slotted to start last year, Will Barton had a disappointing campaign, and not fully by his own hand. In just the second game, Barton suffered a core injury and went on to miss 41 contests. He never returned to form.

His 11.5 points per game was his lowest in four years, as was his 40.2 percent shooting. But aside from the tough, injury riddled season, Barton’s starting tenure caused stylistic problems on both ends.

Defensively, Denver was bullied by bigger wings who capitalized on Barton’s 6’5” frame. Take Kevin Durant, for example, who shot a blistering 69.8 percent in his past three matchups against the Nuggets.

Offensively, Barton’s fit was awkward. A spunky bucket-getter by trade, he was asked to play a catch-and-shoot role as the fifth scoring option. “Thrill” is used to a hands-on role with the second unit.

All things considered, a move back to sixth-man benefits everyone. Barton is an undeniably gifted scorer, who is more effective with the ball. Denver’s bench could use an offensive captain, and he excelled in that role in 2017-18.

Verdict: Sixth-man scorer is a better fit

The stopper

A gritty stopper, Torrey Craig often handles tough defensive assignments. He did well in locking up scorers last year, and his 108.7 defensive rating doesn’t serve him justice.

A better illustration involves his strangulation of Russell Westbrook in Denver’s 105-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Westbrook was limited to just 16 points on a horrendous 6-of-23 shooting. Thanks to Craig’s defensive work, Russ shot his squad thoroughly out of the game.

Offensively, Craig isn’t as savvy. In 37 starts last season, he shot just 29.2 percent from 3-point range. His poor shooting allowed defenses to double Jokic in the post, and his cutting reads failed to neutralize this.

Overall, Craig is a great defender, especially at the guard slot. He doesn’t possess the offensive abilities to thrive in a starting role, however.

Verdict: Better as a situational defender

The splasher

Wow, what a jump for Malik Beasley in 2018-19. After two quiet seasons, he exploded for 11.3 points per game while shooting 40.2 percent from deep.

It gets better. In 18 starts, Beasley averaged 15.9 points per game on a whopping 55.1 percent shooting. He also hit 50 percent from deep (54-of-108) when starting. A trademark game for Beasley was his 35 points on 12-of-17 shooting, as Denver beat the Houston Rockets 136-122.

Beasley boasts impressive starter’s numbers over a comfortable sample size. So what’s the problem? Like Barton, he stands just 6’5”, which is well undersized at the small forward spot. If he starts, larger wings will continue to pick on Denver mercilessly.

Beasley’s defensive rating was 107.3 last season, which may slightly overstate his abilities. He has great speed, strength and athleticism, but often gets lost on the help side.

He’ll accrue some shooting guard starts, as Denver will likely play the load management game with Gary Harris. Consider Beasley the league’s best fill-in starter, but not an ideal fit at the 3-spot.

Verdict: Backup starter at shooting guard and small forward

All or nothin’

Juan Hernangomez continues to be one of the more baffling players on the roster. He’s got all the tools, including height (6’9”), footwork, and one of the squad’s smoothest-looking jumpers.

The dude has great feel offensively, as he shoots and cuts around Jokic effectively. Last season was a tale of two Juanchos, however, as he averaged 11.1 and 12.4 points per game in November and December, respectively. After that, his highest monthly average was 2.5 points per game.

Defensively, he has good size and long arms. Like Beasley, he has the tendency to get lost on the help side, however.

One thing to note — Hernangomez had surgery following the season, which suggests he was slowed by an undisclosed injury. He has the makeup of a starting small forward, but growth on both ends is necessary.

Verdict: Needs development to start

The steady, two-way newbie

Here lies the Nuggets’ best small forward option. Some debate has sparked over his natural position, as Jerami Grant has played much power forward over the last couple seasons.

ESPN.com lists him as small forward, however, and he entered the league as a 3. Grant can play either forward spot, so he should go where needed, which is clearly on the wing for Denver.

Defensively, he helps immediately, as his size (6’9”), wingspan (7’3”) and skill (105.6 defensive rating in 2018-19) should solve Denver’s flimsy wing stopping efforts.

Offensively, Grant hit 40.3 percent from deep in 77 starts last year. His 3-point percentage would have led Denver’s starters, and his presence will discourage opponents from doubling Jokic.

Grant’s athleticism is a force to behold, and he’ll be quick to turn Jokic’s dimes into monster dunks — buckle up, Nuggets fans. As a shooter, cutter and defender, Grant is clearly the best option to start at small forward.

Verdict: Starter