Denver Gazette beat writer Vinny Benedetto takes you around the NBA and inside the Nuggets locker room:

NBA Insider

If Monday’s first practice was any indication, the Nuggets’ Summer League team will be worth watching.

“We’re looking really athletic. Especially the two draft picks, they’re really athletic,” Summer League coach J.J. Barea said Monday after the first of three practices before the team heads to Las Vegas.

“For the first practice, (they’re) smart players that are really athletic. That’s something we need.”

Trevon Brazile, drafted 35th, conceded that Bryce Hopkins, Denver’s choice with the 49th pick, made the play of the day. Brazile rolled to the rim and threw down a lob or two, but it didn’t compare to a Hopkins poster.

“Bryce had the best highlight with the dunk,” Brazile said. “I don’t know if y’all got that one on video.”

Media did get the play on video. Hopkins drove down the left side of the lane, took off on two feet, cocked the ball back in his right hand and punched home a dunk over a teammate. Even though it’s just a Summer League practice, it was a sign that showed the 6-foot-7 forward can hang at a heightened level.

“The athleticism is obviously a step up from college, so you’ve definitely got to adjust to that, but it’s definitely been fun,” Hopkins said.

Hopkins and Brazile headline a Summer League squad that’s long on physicality and defense, Barea said. That should lead to some fun moments in transition.

“I think we’re going to be really good defensively. Defense is going to have to help our offense,” Barea acknowledged. “Then, we’ll go from there.”

What I’m thinking

Being included in the LeBron James sweepstakes is only a good thing if the King actually ends up in Denver, and that feels unlikely.

Most of the six teams that mega-agent Rich Paul listed as realistic destinations — the Cavaliers, Heat, 76ers, Warriors, Timberwolves and Nuggets — are waiting to see what James decides before moving forward on the rest of their offseason business. That’s a tricky game for Denver’s front office to play, as the Nuggets almost certainly will need to fill out their roster with players on minimum contracts.

Adding a player of James’ caliber would drastically change what the Nuggets should be addressing in free agency, but there’s no indication the four-time champion has any plans of making a decision in the coming days.

Cleveland remains the favorite. It’s a move that makes sense for a lot of sentimental and logistical reasons, but the Nuggets and Timberwolves are the best basketball situations for what could be the final season of the greatest player of his generation.

Five of the six teams under consideration will be held hostage until The Decision 4.0 is made. The fact the 41-year-old still wields so much power is a testament to his longevity and greatness.

What they’re saying

Denver’s Summer League coach knows what this opportunity means to most of the players. Barea went undrafted after playing four years at Northeastern and turned a spot on Dallas’ Summer League roster into a 14-year playing career.

“I’ve been in these kids’ positions. I’m trying to help them out as much as I can in Summer League, so these kids can have a good Summer League, they can get jobs, they can get contracts and they can help the Denver Nuggets out,” Barea said.

“My first Summer League, I couldn’t believe I was there. I was just like ‘What is this?’ It was so fast. I didn’t do good. The second Summer League, I was looking forward to it. I did really good, and I think that helped me carry over to my NBA career.”

So, what’s his advice to those players in a similar situation now that he’s on the other side of the sideline?

“Don’t take nothing for granted,” Barea said. “There’s a million kids in the world that want to be here. They want to play in the Summer League. They want to try for the NBA to see them, so take every game, every opportunity and take advantage of it.”

This year’s top draft pick is enjoying playing for a player they grew up watching and playing with in video games.

“Of course,” Brazile answered when asked if he remembered watching Barea play in the NBA Finals. “It’s just crazy he’s my coach now for the Summer League. I used to grow up playing with him on 2K, so it’s like full circle.”

What I’m seeing

• Stan Kroenke observed the end of Monday’s scrimmage, while walking on a treadmill in the workout room adjacent to Denver’s practice court. Coach David Adelman stood next to the team’s governor for a stretch. Executives Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace were also in attendance.
• DaRon Holmes II won’t play at Summer League, but he was scrimmaging with the rest of the summer squad to get some extra reps in Monday. “I wish he was playing in the Summer League. Every time, he’s playing better. His confidence is getting up,” Barea said.

What I’m following

• Tim Hardaway apparently reversed course and decided to let Tim Hardaway Jr. wear his No. 10, which had been retired by the Heat. Junior originally planned to wear 11 until senior changed his mind.
• Sacramento waived wing DeMar DeRozan on Monday, making the 36-year-old a free agent. Don’t be surprised if Denver inquires.
• Rui Hachimura is staying in Los Angeles but not with the Lakers. The power forward signed a two-year contract worth $28 million. That makes the Clippers’ pursuit of Peyton Watson more complicated, though it’s still possible.
• Patrick Ewing is joining Brian Keefe’s staff in Washington as an assistant coach. Ewing was previously working as an ambassador with the Knicks.