While the Denver Nuggets are fueled by a seven-foot, Serbian big man, the team’s quality depth at both guard positions played a defining role in the 2018-19 season. With all four of Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Monte Morris and Malik Beasley back for the 2019-20 season, the hope is that internal player development will continue for each of them and further boost the team’s perimeter play.
Heading into the 2018-19 season, there wasn’t an expectation or assumption that Monte Morris and Malik Beasley would develop into a deadly duo off the bench for Denver. After all, Morris had played in just three games during his rookie season, while Beasley was still working on finding his role on the team as he entered his third campaign.
As a result, Denver added veteran Isaiah Thomas in the 2018 offseason to ensure the backup point guard spot would be filled with dependable play. However, it turned out that Morris would become one of the most reliable floor generals in the entire league as he seized the backup position while Thomas recovered from previous injuries.
The 24-year-old guard did exactly what he needed to do to be effective as both an on-ball initiator of the offense and an off-ball support player, just as he had in college. Across his four years at Iowa State, Morris set the NCAA record for assist-to-turnover ratio at 4.65. Furthermore, Morris has four of the top seven single-season assist-to-turnover ratios that have been recorded by the NCAA (the data goes back to 2008).
Morris was also able to thrive without the ball in his hands, as he knocked down over 41 percent of his 3-point attempts. As 3-point shooting becomes more of a priority in Denver’s offense this season, Morris worked on his pull-up 3-point game and catch-and-shoot abilities.
Morris’ backcourt partner in the second unit developed into one of the best 3-point shooters in the league last season. Beasley attempted five 3-pointers per game and connected on 40.2 percent. Despite coming off the bench for the majority of the season, Beasley finished first on the Nuggets in 3-pointers made.
Beasley’s sparkplug scoring ability and shooting makes him a seamless fit as a starter or on the second unit. Beasley’s numbers improved significantly as a starter last season, as he averaged 15.9 points per game and shot 50 percent from three in 18 starts. The 22-year-old guard is able to move off-ball to get open for a 3-pointer or cut towards the rim for a layup or dunk.
Throughout the preseason, Beasley has continued to showcase improved ball-handling capabilities, which would further diversify Denver’s second-unit offense. Having two guards to initiate pick-and-rolls alongside one of the better passing big men in Mason Plumlee would allow the Nuggets to run a high-level offense for all 48 minutes of a game.
Moving to the starters, Murray and Harris are a formidable duo on the offensive end of the floor. After receiving a five-year contract extension this summer, Murray enters his fourth season in the league after he took another step in his development in 2018-19. The 22-year-old guard averaged 18.2 points, 4.8 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game, but took his play to another level in the playoffs.
In Denver’s 14 playoff games, Murray averaged 21.3 points per game and matched up well against Portland’s Damian Lillard on the offensive end. All eyes will be on Murray as he continues to ascend as a young point guard in the league.
Harris struggled with injuries throughout the 2018-19 campaign, which has his 3-point shooting and inside scoring suffer as a result. After he connected on 42.0 and 39.6 percent from three the past two seasons, Harris saw his percentage drop to 33.9 percent last season. During the two previous seasons, Harris shot over 65 percent from within three feet of the rim but was only able to connect on 61.7 percent during the 2018-19 season.
When healthy, Harris provides quality play on both ends of the floor. Harris is Denver’s best perimeter defender, as he can use his quick feet and length to disrupt opposing guards. On the offensive end, Harris can space the floor as an off-ball shooter, handle the ball in the pick-and-roll or cut towards the rim for open layups and dunks. A healthy Gary Harris can cement himself as the third player in Denver’s young “big three” and elevate the Nuggets on both ends of the floor.
Once again, Denver boasts four quality guards in its rotation, which will help the team navigate the grueling 82-game regular season. With each player gaining more skills and experience in each passing year, Denver’s perimeter play should once again be a strength in the 2019-20 season.