Knocking on all the doors that might lead to an NBA roster spot could take longer than a few months for former Duke standout DeMarcus Nelson.

The first step for the undrafted rookie free-agent guard is trying to impress the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas through Sunday and then at the NBA Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City starting Monday.

The trick is to be seen -- and it's not as difficult as it once was. Still, Nelson is among more than 40 players who were not selected in the draft and are now spending their summer trying to impress teams that have available roster spots.

Warriors assistant Keith Smart, who is coaching Golden State's summer team, said playing in the summer league and the NBA's Developmental League can blaze a trail to the NBA for players like Nelson.

Smart tried a similar path, going overseas and playing in the Continental Basketball Association after hitting the game-winner for Indiana in the 1987 NCAA Championship game.

Smart also helped guide players from college to the NBA by indirect paths. While coaching the CBA's Fort Wayne (Ind.) Fury, he sent nine players to NBA contracts in 1998-99 alone.

"The first option for a guy depending on where he is financially is to play in the NBDL and be seen," Smart said. "That way you can be called in immediately if someone gets hurt and a team needs help at practice. Overseas, it can be difficult unless you're a big guy or a really great shooter."

Nelson is playing only about 10 minutes per game in Vegas. Draft picks get priority and second-year Warriors, C.J. Watson and Marco Belinelli, are the starting guards.

In two games at the point, Nelson has grabbed one rebound with three assists and five turnovers and made three of five shots and three of four free throws.

"The knock on him is his shooting," Smart said. "As a smaller guard, you have to get your shot off so everyone respects you on the floor. That will be the most important part of his development."

Smart said he is seeing good defense, leadership ability and a tough competitor in Nelson. He credited Nelson's defensive pressure for turning around an eventual victory over Philadelphia.

"[Defense is] what is going to get him in the door more so than anything else," Smart said. "But it's all about matchups. If you need to be on the floor and the opposing team doesn't have to totally commit to you, it doesn't work."

Nelson feels like he is playing well, admitting his four turnovers against Dallas were eager mistakes of miscommunication.

Nelson said he won't stop working for his NBA shot, though he admits waiting for a call that never came on draft night was tough.

He said he and his agent Aaron Goodwin decided to turn down a chance to get drafted by Detroit. The Pistons didn't have any roster sports available and were likely to send their second-round picks to the NBDL. It wasn't the best option for Nelson, a 22-year old college graduate.

"It was tough because I played well everywhere I went," he said, adding that he outplayed UCLA's Russell Westbrook, the fourth pick overall, during one workout. "But it seemed like the consensus was people felt they could get me for cheap, so to speak."

Nelson would take a step forward if he is invited to the Warriors' training camp, or any NBA camp, in October.

"That's where I can earn my spot," he said. "Plus all NBA coaches talk to each other. You play for one and others see you."

Nelson has a decent shot with the Warriors because Golden State has three open roster spots.

"I have to be prepared to do anything," he said. "All the feedback I'm getting says I'm an NBA-caliber player destined to play in the league. I can only be who I am. I just need an opportunity. When I get it, it'll be the perfect one."

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