Denver Nuggets: Jameer Nelson to start over Emmanuel Mudiay

Jameer Nelson will replace Emmanuel Mudiay in the starting lineup for Denver. What does this mean for Mudiay and his future?

Jameer Nelson will replace Emmanuel Mudiay as the Nuggets’ starting point guard for at least the teams next game and perhaps longer, Denver head coach Michael Malone announced today.

Speaking to BSN Denver after practise, Malone praised the recent play of Nelson, saying he had done a good job in the absence of Mudiay.

"“I’m going to go with Jameer. Jameer is our starting point guard for right now and he has done a good job. He has earned the trust and he has done a very good job while Emmanuel has been out,” Malone said."

Mudiay has managed to play in just three of the last 14 games for Denver, after being slowed by back issues dating back to late January. The ongoing spasms forced Mudiay to sit out of the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend in New Orleans, however he was there in support of Nuggets teammates Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

Mudiay is currently averaging 11.8 points, 4.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game on 37 percent shooting through 44 games. Comparatively, Nelson has put up numbers of 12.3 points, 6.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds on nearly 47 percent shooting in 20 games as a starter during the 2016-17 campaign.

Nelson has appeared to be a superior fit next to Nikola Jokic than Mudiay over the course of the season. The veteran point guard is better at moving without the basketball, and Jokic has been able to find him coming off of pin-down screens and quick backdoor cuts. Nelson also has a greater ability to knock down catch-and-shoot threes and turn the ball over less.

The move to insert Nelson into the starting lineup doesn’t mean Mudiay has lost his place on this team, or that he should be traded. Who knows if the change will last one game, one week, or the entire season.  Even if Mudiay remains on the bench, he still has a role on the team. He can come into contests and take advantage of lesser guards while playing alongside a talented second unit that features Mason Plumlee, Will Barton and Jamal Murray.

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This move doesn’t spell the end for Mudiay in Denver, rather, offers a fresh oppurtinity to show just how talented he is.