Nuggets to sign Axel Toupane

[nayyyyyyyyo09]

According to multiple sources, a ten day contract is being given to Axel Toupane. He's 6'6" and went undrafted in 2014, but continued to play in France. Came to America and has been playing for the Raptors D-League affiliate. He averaged 14.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 29.7 minutes over 32 games this season with a PER of 14.5. He's a guy who can maybe help us with Gallo being out. What do you guys think?

[NuggetsWY]

Of course the Nuggets media (most not all) will write him up as the second coming of Scottie Pippen or some such player. But even reading what they write, I like what I can find. They say he plays D against PGs all the time - I like that!!! That means he's a versatile wing defender with good lateral quickness. He's listed at 6'6" or 6'7" depending on your source but they all agree his wingspan is 6'10" plus and that he's fairly strong. That means he can cover a stretch 4. So on D, he can legitimately play 1 through 4 (Sampson is a D guy too, so we've improved there). They say Toupane is a streaky shooter - very streaky. Not sure we need that but except for the superstars, most shooters are streaky, so OK. I think he can help us now and this gives us a chance to see if he can be a good bench player for next year (and you never know about down the road). This is the type of player I think the Nuggets should be looking at instead of playing veterans, especially out of position.

[skywalker33]

Stop gap but needed some more players at the SF

[RRFB]

Sounds a lot like Sampson but with some semblance of offensive ability.

[nayyyyyyyyo09]

What I've also noticed is that his spot is the left corner three. In all the games where he was hot, it started and ended in the left corner for three.

[nayyyyyyyyo09]

I think Toupane is ours to keep this season and should be signed to a non guaranteed deal fairly soon. He's playing extremely well and I like how he's not afraid to shoot. He'll get his shot 100% down fairly soon and we'll see his FG% rise a bit but for now I think he might be a way better gamble than Sampson

[The Rebel]

It is nice to hear they are getting him for at least a 2nd 10 day.

[NuggetsWY]

I was NOT in favor of signing him or Sampson. I felt like Harris-Barton could handle the SG and Arthur-Miller-Barton could handle the SF. But as has happened before, I've changed my mind. I like the defensive skills Sampson brings and hope he can teach some of those skills to others. But I really like Toupane's attitude on offense and defense. He may be on a ten day contract, but he's willing to shoot when he's open. I think the Nuggets are so busy trying to be team players that they become afraid to shoot even when they're open and Toupane's willing to work on defense and he seems a little better at it than some of our other players - although playing behind Harris, it's hard to see that. LOL

[RRFB]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/713094809985138688[/tweet]

I'm guessing it's the same type of deal Sampson signed. No way both of them make the team next year.

[skywalker33]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/713094809985138688[/tweet]

I'm guessing it's the same type of deal Sampson signed. No way both of them make the team next year.

Realistically, I see them signed through training camp, depending on who we draft and who might sigh here in free agency. Would be shocked if either made the 2016 squad.

[NuggetsWY]

Sampson's & Toupane's contracts give the Nuggets flexibility for next year, depending on free agent signings and draft picks. Seems like a wise move and gives two players a possibility - two players that have played quite well.