NBA Draft: 5 players Denver Nuggets need to target

DENVER, CO - MARCH 11: Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky has some fun with a young fan during the game against the Atlanta Hawks March 11, 2015 at Pepsi Center. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 11: Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky has some fun with a young fan during the game against the Atlanta Hawks March 11, 2015 at Pepsi Center. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

The Denver Nuggets finished 25th in the NBA in three-point shooting in 2016, so obtaining a player like Buddy Hield would immediately upgrade them in that category.  Hield, the easy choice for 2016 Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year, lit it up from beyond the arc, making 147 threes for the Sooners, while shooting an incredible 46%.  While not the prospect he is now before the season started, Hield is undoubtedly a lottery pick now.

Selecting Hield with the seventh overall selection gives the Nuggets a player who can score, and can score right now.  He has developed into an elite shooter in his four years at Oklahoma, and his work ethic is unparalleled.  Though some may feel he is a bit undersized for the position at the NBA level, most scouts feel he can come in and be an impact player right away.

At Oklahoma, Hield was asked to handle the ball much more than he will be asked to at the next level, which led to some games where he turned the ball over too much.  In the NBA, Hield wont have to shoulder such a load on the offensive end, and can work on getting open and hitting shots.  He did improve his ball handling dramatically in college, and can run the point in spurts if needed.

If selected by Denver, Hield will likely jump right into the starting lineup alongside Mudiay.  His four seasons at Oklahoma will probably make him the most pro-ready player in the draft.  He has everything the Nuggets need to solidify their backcourt in 2017, and will likely be available when the Nuggets walk to the podium at seven.

For more on the NBA Draft, check out our NBA Draft hub page.