Draft night is here, and the Nuggets are on the outside looking in.
Given all the young talent on the roster, things could be worse, especially with Michael Porter Jr. set to suit up in Summer League as potentially the second- or third-best rookie coming into the Association next season (yes, the NBA still considers him a rookie).
That being said, tonight would be a lot more fun if the Nuggets actually had a pick.
Luckily, there’s an outside chance — beat writer Michael Singer puts it at 35 percent — they will find a way to acquire one in the second round, either through a trade or purchase.
Nuggets executive Tom Connelly and the scouting department were out in full force at the Draft Combine in Chicago last month, doing their due diligence as one would expect. Perhaps they saw someone they liked.
Several teams have multiple second-round picks. The Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings both have three, while the L.A. Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, and New Orleans Pelicans each have two. Here’s guessing at least one, if not more, of those teams jettison one.
If an intriguing prospect is sitting out there, the Nuggets wouldn’t be crazy to swoop in and take a chance. Second round picks come cheap and their salary doesn’t have to be fully guaranteed (). We’re also talking about a front office that found Nikola Jokic with the 41st pick overall (and Monte Morris with the 51st). So it’s a low risk, high reward proposition.
The depth chart points to the wing and front court as spots the front office might have an interest in adding depth. Here’s a few names that might be worth a look if Denver gets frisky:
Admiral Schofield, Tennessee, Sr., 6-5, SF — The best name in the draft may have a shot at landing with the Nuggets. Word is the team brass like what they see in the sweet shooting wing with an Adonis-like frame. Given his 3-and-D profile and track record as a hard-working player, he could be a fit.
Jaylen Nowell, Washington, So., 6-4, PG/SG — The Pac-12 player of the year can fill it up with the best of them. There isn’t a mock draft on the World Wide Web that has him drafted ahead of the top 40, but he’s got pro-level footwork and unrivaled shot making ability. If the Nuggets want someone with potential as an off-the-bench offensive spark, Nowell is an deal late-draft flier.
Jontay Porter, Missouri, So., 6-11, C — Could the Nuggets draft a Porter two years in a row? Just like his older brother, Michael, Jontay enters the night with serious injury concerns having torn his right ACL twice. Still, near 7-footers with plus shooting and passing skills are worth a second-round gamble.
Zylan Cheatham, Arizona State, Sr., 6-8, SF/PF — An exceptional defender and playmaker for his size, Cheatham projects as a poor man’s Draymond Green… without the propensity to spaz out three to four times a game. He’s 23 years old, so the ceiling isn’t as high as others in the draft, but switchy wings are a nice asset to have.
— , The Denver Post
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Thursday: NBA Draft, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
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Must-Read
Michael Porter Jr.: An oral history of the Nuggets’ draft-night steal
From the people who lived it, this is the story of how the Nuggets landed Michael Porter Jr., as recounted in recent interviews with The Denver Post. Read more…
Nuggets offseason agenda: What moves can Denver make?
The business of basketball never sleeps. But for the Nuggets, rather than having to negotiate a trade demand from a star player (New Orleans) or dreading a potential departure of a Finals MVP (Toronto), Denver is faced with several so-called good problems this summer. Read more…
“Loyalty and patience”: Why Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly passed on Wizards
Tim Connelly was effusive in his praise of the Washington Wizards organization, but if you parse his words closely at his end-of-the-year news conference, the Baltimore native didn’t sound like he was ever too close to leaving Denver. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ 🔊 Nuggets Ink podcast: Paul Millsap, Michael Porter Jr. and other pressing offseason questions.
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Who could Denver target in free agency this summer?
+ Anthony Davis is headed to L.A., but the Nuggets at least kicked the tires on a possible trade for the Brow, Mike Singer reports.
+ Paul Millsap received an invite to USA Basketball training camp ahead of the 2019 World Cup. And he probably isn’t leaving Denver this offseason, despite the Nuggets’ team option on the final year of his contract.
+ Michael Porter Jr.’s health, and what to expect when he makes his Summer League debut.
+ Steve Kerr on Jamal Murray: He’s “becoming one of those guys … like Steph.”
+ For the first time in more than 40 years, a Nuggets player was named All-NBA first team.
+ Mike Singer breaks down Denver’s four major questions heading into the offseason.
+ How Monte Morris plans to hit more shots, and fewer walls, for Denver next spring
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
By The Numbers
20-to-1
Bovada’s championship odds for the Nuggets for the 2019-20 season, the ninth-best odds among the bookmaker’s title projections.
Parting Shot
Kiszla vs. Singer: Could the Nuggets get Tobias Harris or Bojan Bogdanovic in free agency?
The Nuggets gave fans plenty of reasons to smile this season, but if they want to turn this feel-good story into a championship story, it might not hurt to add another piece. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at mschubert@denverpost.com or tweet me .
