With the Denver Nuggets having to navigate some salary cap issues this offseason, there may be big changes coming to the roster. Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun have big contracts, and they have been linked to trade rumors. 

Another guard who played significant minutes with the Nuggets this season was Tim Hardaway Jr. With Hardaway Jr. being an unrestricted free agent this summer, the Nuggets' guard room could look different in 2026. 

One player who can see more opportunities next season because of the potential changes is Julian Strawther. Strawther, 24, is a player who did not see consistent minutes with Denver in the 2025-2026 season. 

In 2025-2026, Julian Strawther averaged just 7.2 points per game, 2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 15.1 minutes per game. He saw more playing time late in the season as the Nuggets cruised their way to the playoffs, but Strawther played 13.8 minutes per game before the All-Star break. 

Strawther's stats per 48 minutes say a lot about his potential if given a significant role on the team. Per 48 minutes, Strawther averaged 23 points per game, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. 

In 2024-2025, Strawther put up similar stats as he was playing behind an established group of guards. Since entering the NBA in 2023, he has yet to be given a legitimate chance to be one of the lead guards on the Nuggets' roster. 

Players like Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Peyton Watson have all seen significant minutes ahead of Strawther, leaving him with no place. 

In the past, Strawther has shown he can be a solid player for Denver. In Game 6 of the 2025 Western Conference Semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he scored a playoff career-high 15 points, shot 3 of 4 from downtown, and was a driving force in the Nuggets' win. 

The Denver Nuggets will need all the help they can get if they choose to make significant moves in the backcourt next season. If they choose to move off Jamal Murray or Christian Braun, someone will need to step up and replace their production. 

Julian Strawther has the potential to be that fix, and Denver has yet to see him in a significant role since drafting him. Strawther is a player who can score on all three levels, and if he can learn to play alongside Jokic, he can have a successful 2026. 

If Strawther is given an opportunity next season, he can be a player who plays with a chip on his shoulder, and the entire franchise can benefit from that.