Strawther is among the top scorers in the 2024 Las Vegas Summer League. After Sunday’s close loss to the Toronto Raptors, Julian Strawther spoke with reporters, his right ankle wrapped in a large ice bag. The former Gonzaga standout revealed he had rolled his ankle during the Denver Nuggets’ training camp last week. However, his impressive performance in the first two summer league games showed no signs of discomfort.
In his first 72 hours in Vegas—his hometown—Strawther made a strong case for a significant role in Denver’s 2024-25 rotation. The 6-foot-7 sharpshooter scored 25 points and grabbed five rebounds in the summer league opener against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. He shot 7-of-19 from the field, hit three 3-pointers, and played 33 minutes as the starting point guard, a temporary adjustment for the summer.
Strawther’s ability to drive off screens and penetrate the lane created numerous opportunities. He displayed a strong connection with undrafted rookie P.J. Hall from Clemson in the pick-and-roll game, while former Creighton standout and undrafted rookie Trey Alexander complemented his play in the backcourt as a dynamic and speedy guard.
On Sunday night, Strawther had a hot night from downtown, scoring 32 points against the Toronto Raptors by hitting six triples and dishing out five assists in a narrow 84-81 loss at the Cox Pavilion. He missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation. Eighteen of his points came in the second half, but a 10-0 run by the Raptors late in the third quarter shifted the momentum, and the Nuggets couldn’t recover despite his efforts.
Strawther started strong with two early 3-pointers, putting Denver ahead 10-2. He told NBA TV that he wanted to assert himself in the second quarter, scoring eight points while being closely guarded by Omari Moore on the perimeter.
Through two summer league games, Julian Strawther’s shot-making and improvements as a three-level scorer make him a prime candidate to fill Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s role in Denver’s rotation. The Nuggets are seeking offensive creativity beyond the two-man game of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, and Strawther has demonstrated his scoring prowess as the primary option in summer league, reminiscent of his 18.2 points per game average in Vegas last year.
This time, Strawther has elevated his performance, tying for second in summer league scoring with 28.5 points per game. Whether he’s coming off screens for outside jumpers or driving to the rim through contact, Strawther has displayed greater poise and confidence than he did as a rookie fresh out of Gonzaga. He showed potential in a limited role during the 2023-24 season, battling a midseason injury and competing with established players for minutes.
Much like his early days in Spokane, Strawther absorbed knowledge from the veterans and waited for his opportunity. Now, with a full year under his belt, Strawther has made a compelling case to be a regular in Michael Malone’s rotation for the upcoming season.
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