Joffrey Lauvergne won’t be at full strength when the Nuggets begin summer-league play Friday.
The 6-foot-11 power forward said he’s hampered by a blood infection that began last week. Lauvergne said the initial cause is unknown, but the training staff told him it probably began from bacteria buildup between his toes.
“I’m just getting back to practice day by day. I start to get better every day,” Lauvergne said. “My foot keeps hurting me, but I don’t feel weak like a few days ago, so that’s better.”
For fans unfamiliar with the French big man, he made a cameo for the Nuggets last season. Lauvergne left Serbian club Partizan in February to sign a multiyear deal with the Nuggets after the Timofey Mosgov trade to Cleveland opened up a roster spot.
Lauvergne is one of a few players on the summer-league roster with a legitimate shot of being on the Nuggets when the NBA season begins this fall. The recent improvement is encouraging, but his health status in Las Vegas is something to keep an eye on.
“A few days ago, I thought I wouldn’t be able to play because I was feeling weak like I’ve never felt before,” he said. “I’m going to see how I feel and try to play because I practiced all summer for this.”
Lauvergne, a 2013 second-round pick, played in 24 games for the Nuggets last season, averaging 3.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per game.
In his second day back to practice, Lauvergne was dynamite from long range. At one point, he hit nine straight corner 3-pointers.
Summer champs? The Nuggets’ summer-league team is filled will rookies and young players.
They’ll be coached by a veteran.
Micah Nori will coach his 18th summer league. He won the championship with the Sacramento Kings last season. The main focus is to develop players to be ready for any role when the regular season begins.
“It’s about young kids getting the opportunity to play extended minutes they normally don’t get and see how much they’ve grown in the offseason,” Nori said. “And most important, see what Emmanuel can do for us.”
First-round pick Emmanuel Mudiay will be the star attraction for the Nuggets, but Nori said he won’t treat him like a rookie.
“I don’t want to stand up and call plays and take control from him,” Nori said. “He’s one of those guys if you put him in a box, he’s not going to be able to display all of his skills.”
Nori doesn’t expect to call many plays and expects the offense to be sloppy.
“Coach (Michael) Malone’s butterflies will be a little greater because his wins and losses matter,” Nori said.
