Moving up? On draft night, the Nuggets should move to get New York’s pick at No. 4 in the first round and go for Ohio State point guard D’Angelo Russell. The Knicks have an aging, overpaid Carmelo Anthony and 69-year-old executive in Phil Jackson. They’re in win-now mode.
Zach, Denver
Kiz: Seeing Russell wear a Nuggets uniform would be a dream come true. But let’s keep it real. If the Lakers want to return to relevancy in Los Angeles, they would be crazy to take Jahlil Okafor over Russell. Nuggets president Josh Kroenke has told me Philadelphia general manager Sam Hinkie will do whatever it takes to land a franchise player, and if Hinkie thinks that’s Kristaps Porzingis rather than Russell, I look forward to seeing what gainful employment Hinkie finds after he gets fired by the Sixers. And here’s a real sticky wicket should Russell fall to No. 4: Denver has the right to swap first-round draft picks with New York in 2016, which will cause the Nuggets to pause before making any deal that would improve the Knicks next season. Go crazy, folks, if Denver somehow finds a way to acquire Russell. Just don’t count on it.
Go Euro. I like Kentucky’s Willie Cauley-Stein or Justise Winslow of Duke as the Nuggets’ first-round choice.
Daniel, living free in Alaska
Kiz: How do I put this delicately? Oh, forget diplomacy. Cauley-Stein gives me terrifying JaVale McGee flashbacks, and Winslow’s recent workout with the Nuggets was underwhelming. We here at Kickin’ It Headquarters hope either Cauley-Stein or Winslow is off the board when Denver picks. Why? I am rooting for Mario Hezonja or Emmanuel Mudiay to drop into the lap of the Nuggets at No. 7, and I’m guessing there’s better than a 50 percent chance Denver will get lucky.
Toothache. You think Colorado should trade Carlos Gonzalez? For whom? If pitchers were used cars, you could be assured the Rockies would pick the biggest clunker on the lot.
Vic, Golden
Kiz: So you’re saying Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich would swap CarGo for a 1985 Yugo and a 1978 AMC Pacer? Hey, at least that could make for better between-inning entertainment than the gosh-awful tooth race currently seen at Coors Field.
Fox squawks. And today’s parting shot reminds us Johnny Miller is a greater golf analyst than Greg Norman. By a power of 10.
During Fox’s telecast of the U.S. Open golf tournament, the Shark is out to lunch. It’s embarrassing.
Pete, San Diego
Mark Kiszla: mkiszla@denverpost.com or
