NBA Draft 2015: Which Rookies Will Start Opening Night?

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jahlil Okafor (Duke) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number three overall pick to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Emmanuel Mudiay (China) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Denver Nuggets

The rebuild is underway in Denver, and there’s no doubt that Emmanuel Mudiay will be the starting point guard when the 2015-2016 season tips off for the Nuggets. For weeks, the Nuggets have been rumored in trades that have them shipping out incumbent point guard Ty Lawson.

While no trade has happened yet, Ty Lawson said after the announced pick of Mudiay that he is headed to Sacramento. While he probably knows something that the rest of us don’t, it’s fairly obvious that his days as the Nuggets starting point guard are over.

Add in the fact that many consider Mudiay to be NBA-ready after playing overseas in China, the Nuggets suddenly have a fresh young point guard who is ready to run the show as the rebuilding efforts truly get underway in the Mile High City.

Unlike Lawson, Mudiay is a much bigger point guard at 6’5 and can play in the athletic up-tempo system in Denver. Who will be playing alongside Mudiay remains to be seen, as guys such as Danilo Gallinari and Kenneth Faried have been heavily featured in trade rumors.

One thing is certain and that is Mudiay is the future in Denver, and it is a lock that he will be running the show when the season begins.

Next: 6. Frank Kaminsky

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