First, let me remove a few names.
Regarding the player the Nuggets may select with their first pick in the NBA draft June 23, forget these names: Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, Jamal Murray, Kris Dunn. They probably won’t be available when the Nuggets’ first selection, No. 7 overall, comes up.
Everyone else? Up for grabs.
The Nuggets are in a good position to be choosy with their top pick, primarily because they already have a player they like at each position. It means if they actually use their picks in the No. 7, No. 15 and No. 19 slots, it probably will be to take the best player available and not someone based on need. This draft is stocked with athletes who project as rotation players more than all-stars. But there’s sure to be a surprise or two in the bunch.
These are the Nuggets’ best options at each position, based on their draft position.
Point guard: Wade Baldwin IV, Vanderbilt
This is not the name you were expecting — Kentucky’s Tyler Ulis is much more celebrated — but you will hear more about Baldwin as the draft approaches. The 6-foot-4 point guard is one of the best floor leaders available in the draft. And he defends well, which is something the Nuggets need. He shoots better than 40 percent from 3-point range and rebounds effectively. Now, this is the last position the Nuggets probably would draft, based on Emmanuel Mudiay being a starter and coming off his rookie season and veteran Jameer Nelson being under contract too. But Baldwin is my pick if the Nuggets choose a point guard.
Shooting guard: Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
The high-scoring Hield is a favorite of many Nuggets fans, who hope he will be available when the No. 7 pick comes up. And it’s easy to see why. At 6-4, he has good size for a two guard. He also is long and athletic, is a deadly shooter from 3-point range (45.7 percent as a senior) and rebounds well. He has a good catch-and-shoot game, which is important to have in the NBA, and he also can get to the rim. There are some question marks about his defense and his offense. Such as, is he actually that good a shooter? Or did he just have an incredible outlier season? During his sophomore and junior seasons, he shot 37.1 percent behind the arc, which is much more likely where he will settle into during his NBA career.
Small forward: Jaylen Brown, California
Brown is the prototypical athlete who needs more polish to become a great player. He is quick and explosive with the ball, but what happens at the finish of the play is many times an adventure. There is a good chance that Brown will turn the ball over or throw up a wild shot. Or he might finish with a highlight dunk. He didn’t shoot the ball well — 43 percent overall and 29.4 percent from 3-point range. But he rebounds well and has great size at small forward (6-7). Also, he has the potential to be a good defensive player because of his athleticism. But he is a project. The Nuggets may not have time to develop more projects.
Power forward: Marquese Chriss, Washington
Yes, Marquette freshman Henry Ellenson is a more polished player at this position. But as a super athletic forward, Chriss profiles as a potentially game-changing shot blocker, and the Nuggets need rim protection. Think Serge Ibaka at his most athletic. Chriss blocked 11 shots in two games against Colorado last season. He is raw offensively but can make all the shots out to 3-point range, where he made 35 percent of his attempts. He tends to get into foul trouble and there are questions about his maturity, which he will have to address during workouts for NBA teams. But there is no question that if he pans out, he could end up being the steal of the draft.
Center: Skal Labissiere, Kentucky
He is another big man in what is an OK draft for players who can block and alter shots. He didn’t have the season he was supposed to have as a freshman with the Wildcats, but it doesn’t mean he lacks potential. As a 7-footer, he is very long. But at 216 pounds, he is very thin. He reminds me of a less-athletic Marcus Camby, but with a better jump shot. Labissiere has range out to the 3-point line, but he is not a prolific outside shooter. So don’t be fooled by “stretch four” or “stretch five” talk. That’s not him. He is a post player who has a good pick-and-pop game.
