The Nuggets have a new dynamic duo on their hands.
The Denver Nuggets had a busy 2026 NBA Draft, making a flurry of trades that shuffled around their draft order and while they ended up without a first-round pick, they landed two second-round picks in Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins.
Brazile and Hopkins both had their first chance to prove themselves in Summer League, where they showed that Denver's complicated maneuvering on draft day was more than worth it.
Brazile Balls Out
Starting with Brazile, the Nuggets' second-rounder who was technically drafted by the San Antonio Spurs before being immediately traded alongside two future second-round picks to the Nuggets in exchange for Tarris Reed Jr., and with the Nuggets always being in need of some more size at the four, the tough power forward from the University of Arkansas was a great pickup.
Brazile showed his value on both sides of the floor during Summer League by averaging 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 46% from the field and 47% from three point range.
There may not be a more three-and-d stat line than what Brazile put up in three games in Las Vegas and having his mix of size and shooting ability is a huge sign of the value he has and the player that he can be when given more of an opportunity.
Hopkins Can Hoop
Hopkins, unlike Brazile, was originally drafted by the Nuggets with the 49th-overall pick and he had a similarly outstanding performance in four Summer League games.
He averaged 18 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting an outstanding 53% from the field as well as 36% from beyond the arc, showing off just as much efficiency from midrange and inside the paint as Brazile while showing off a different kind of defensive game with his 1.5 steals.
Hopkins being smaller than Brazile has meant that he operated in much more of a hybrid forward role and when playing alongside Brazile played the three, where his perimeter defense and scrappy stealing came into play most.
The one-two punch that Hopkins and Brazile were in Summer League could very well be a look at the future front court of the Nuggets and with their combined scoring prowess and variety of defensive weapons they could grow together even more to become a dynamic duo that could dominate Denver basketball for years to come.
Summer League is a small sample size, to be sure, but with just a glimpse of what the pair were capable of, Denver may have hit the lottery twice in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
