In the 2026 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets selected forward Bryce Hopkins out of St. John's in the second round, and he has shown some promise in his first two Summer League games. 

In his first game against the Houston Rockets, he scored 24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in just 26 minutes. He also shot the ball well from the field, going 9-13 from the field. 

In his second game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he wasn't as explosive on offense, but he continued to show his scoring skills, scoring 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block. 

The Denver Nuggets could be moving away from one of their forwards this offseason. Their salary cap problems could be too big to avoid, and with players like Cameron Johnson and Aaron Gordon on bigger contracts, it could cause them to trade either one away. 

If the Nuggets choose to let the problem linger, it could cause them to have a hard time building their roster long-term. One solution to their issue could be sitting on their roster right now. 

If Bryce Hopkins can develop into a reliable piece at the forward position, it will add a lot of stability to the Nuggets' roster. Cameron Johnson and Aaron Gordon are two players who are threats from the three-point line and can defend well. 

Finding players in the NBA who possess those skills isn't always easy, but Hopkins has shown he can turn into that type of player. 

At St. John's, Hopkins averaged 13.6 points per game and over 1 steal per game. He also shot around 36 percent from three-point range. Like his Summer League games, Hopkins showed he can be a dual threat wing, and that's the reason Denver selected him. 

The Nuggets are a team that's in need of some younger talent, which is why they are pushing hard to bring back guard Peyton Watson in free agency, as he's only 23 years old. 

Denver has kept relatively the same core since winning the NBA Championship in 2023, but after a season in which they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, they may be looking for new players to step in and bring a lift. 

If Hopkins can turn into the dynamic wing the Nuggets are hoping he can be, he can save them money while making them a better team moving forward.