The Denver Nuggets returned to .500 at 2-2 after losing their first two games of the NBA season. After coming off back-to-back overtime victories against the Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors, the Nuggets now turn their attention to Friday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This game is a rematch of last season’s Western Conference semifinal series that Minnesota won in seven games. That said, both teams are different now than they were in this series, especially the Timberwolves after trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

According to DNVR’s Harrison Wind, the Nuggets moved up their team before this game, sending Jalen Pickett to the Grand Rapids Gold (Denver’s G League affiliate).

Pickett has only appeared in one game for the Nuggets this season, playing two minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Denver’s blowout loss on opening night. The 6-foot-4 guard turned 25 on Oct. 22 and will be headed to the G League where he should receive extended playing time.

Selected 32nd overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Pickett has made 28 appearances in the NBA. There is no path to rotation minutes for Pickett on this current Nuggets team, so it makes sense for the organization to send him to the G League where he can get consistent reps.

The Gold will begin their G League season on November 8 against the Windy City Bulls. G League teams are now beginning their training camps in preparation for the new season.

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