David Adelman Addresses Nuggets' Battle for Rotation Spots During Training Camp

Going into training camp, the Denver Nuggets didn’t have their roster filled out. As the regular season approaches, the Nuggets have made moves to sign pieces that can compete for a spot in the rotation. 

Denver signed guards Ryan Nembhard and Cam Whitmore to compete for a backup guard spot, and the hope is that the Nuggets can get some security in that area of the roster. 

Head coach David Adelman told the media he was skeptical at first about the lack of depth his roster had, but he was encouraged by the fight he’s seen in training camp. 

"This camp has been extremely physical because the young guys are fighting for positions,” Adelman said. "The back end of the rotation is up for grabs, and you can feel it."

In their most recent preseason game, guard Cam Whitmore finished with 14 points in 15 minutes. Whitmore is a former first-round pick in 2023 by the Houston Rockets and has bounced around the league. 

He has had his ups and downs in the NBA and had his 2025-2026 season cut short due to a blood clot. He played 25 games with the Washington Wizards last season and was not very productive, but he could turn things around in a new setting. 

As for Ryan Nembhard, he is also looking for stability as well. Nembhard played in 60 games with the Dallas Mavericks last season and averaged 6.6 points per game. 

The Nuggets have an experience issue in their backup guard spots, but the hope is that the continuous competition in camp can raise the ceiling of the guards. 

Denver is going into a season in which an NBA championship is in its sights. Last season, injuries derailed the momentum the Nuggets had, and they lost in the first round to the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

For Denver to succeed, they will need to figure out the backup guard spots as soon as possible. The good thing about the moves the front office made is that both players have upside. 

Players like Spencer Jones and Marvin Bagley III will need consistent guard play to have success this next season. If Whitmore or Nembhard can adapt to David Adleman’s coaching style, they could be more competitive than most think.  

One of the strengths of the Western Conference is that most teams in the conference have depth, so Denver will have to catch up and raise their level of play off the bench.