Vegas Summer League is in full swing. The desert is rocking and people are pouring in from all over to watch the NBA’s young talent come out to play. Some of that talent will be on the floor in this matchup between the Nuggets and the Timberwolves.
DraftKings Sportsbook is listing the Minnesota Timberwolves as eight-point favorites and -395 on the moneyline. The Denver Nuggets are listed at +310 odds on the moneyline, with the game total set at 182.5. Let’s get into a breakdown of the two Summer League squads, players to watch, and a pick for the contest.
Denver Nuggets Roster Breakdown
For a team going all-out to contend for an NBA championship, the Denver Nuggets bring a lot more talent to Vegas than you’d expect. First and foremost is DaRon Holmes II. A first-round pick in 2024, Holmes tore his Achilles before the season started. Healthy again, he’s getting his first chance to prove his NBA mettle. And it’s going very well.
Holmes is far and away the biggest talent on the roster, but not the only one. They have a collection of guard and wing talent that should play well at Summer League. Hunter Tyson, the 37th pick in 2023, is chief among them. He’s looking to prove worthy of a roster spot after two years out of the rotation. Spencer Jones is another forward on another Vegas go-around after being a 2024 undrafted free agent.
Denver also has some interesting bets coming from other teams. Reece Beekman, a former Warriors and Nets prospect, showed a lot of talent in the G-League this past season. Keyontae Johnson is here to prove he belongs after being drafted in the second round by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2023. And Boo Buie, one of the most electric scoring guards in the NCAA while at Northwestern, hopes to carve out a spot of his own.
It’s a well-balanced roster for Vegas. Holmes can play inside and out on both ends of the floor. They have guards that can create and length on the perimeter. It’s not the best Summer League team you’ll see, but there is potential here.
Minnesota Timberwolves Roster Breakdown
I am in love with this Minnesota Timberwolves Summer League roster – so much so that I’ve already written about them twice. To avoid repeating myself, check out this breakdown of why the Wolves are my favorite pick to come away with the Summer League title.
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Pick
Minnesota Timberwolves -8 (-110)
I don’t think there is a single team in the desert I’m picking over the Timberwolves in a game. And until these lines start flirting with double digits, I’ll continue to pick them.
They’ve got the perimeter creation between Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr., the latter a strong candidate for the Summer League MVP. A stacked cupboard of perimeter defenders. And don’t forget tons of size, led by first-round pick Joan Beringer.
Denver is interesting, but it lacks the depth of talent and experience that this Minnesota roster boasts. Give me the Wolves all day.
