National Basketball Association

Denver Nuggets Waive 3 Players as First Cuts Set in

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Denver Nuggets have now been through five preseason games, and with three games left, they have finally started to cut their training camp additions.

As training camp was set to begin, the Denver Nuggets added six bodies that would eventually compete for the last roster start- barring any bigger name is signed. With that spot still up for grabs, DJ Kennedy, Axel Toupane, and JaKarr Sampson were all eliminated from the competition after having played in just one preseason game.

Toupane and Sampson were both important members of the Denver Nuggets that were added on during the latter half of last season. It was assumed at the beginning of training camp that his spot was Toupane’s to lose, and he has certainly lost it.

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DJ Kennedy has been an overseas standout who has been trying to make a name for himself in the NBA.

These three were accompanied by Jarnell Stokes, who is the clear frontrunner for the job, Nate Wolters, and Robbie Hummel. Wolters and Hummel were both college standouts that have failed to make consistently make an NBA roster.

These three along with Nate Wolters have been the only Nuggets to only enter one preseason game besides the injured Gary Harris. The now obvious front runner is Jarnell Stokes who has appeared in five preseason games averaging 14.2 minutes per game and shooting 52.2% from the field.

Recent reports also have the Nuggets interested in Perry Jones III. Both Stokes and Jones would make solid replacements for the recently traded Joffrey Lauvergne, and they would be able to help solidify the power forward spot with Darrell Arthur currently out with injury.

The race to the 15th man may not be as close as it could seem. Without a trade or injury, it seems the job is now Stokes to lose. Continue to check back for updates on this race to the 15th man!

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