NBA Draft 2017: 5 targets for the Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets might be the richest team outside of the Boston Celtics heading into the 2017 NBA Draft. With a young superstar and loads of assets, here is what they might do on draft night.
With the 13th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets select… no one! There are a bunch of options where the Nuggets could take a young person who might develop into a star, but first it is important to consider the nuclear option, which is trading this pick and a few players to move up. Outside of trading the pick, the Nuggets could pick one of four wings to have an inside-outside duo with Nikola Jokic.
If the Nuggets keep the pick, they could look at drafting a high-pedigree wing out of North Carolina or Indiana, a big shooting guard out of South Carolina, or go the international route (where they have found some success in the past) and look at a tall wing from Australia. The Nuggets are seemingly loaded with the right combination of talent to make a playoff run sooner than later, and this draft could tip the scales either way. Let us start by examining the trade option.
5. Make a trade
Why not try to move up if you’re the Nuggets? If the target is a big wing, which all reports show it is, then sliding in at No. 3 and swapping with Philadelphia makes the most sense here. If the Nuggets get the third pick, they would choose Josh Jackson out of Kansas or Jayson Tatum out of Duke, both lengthy wings with similar styles of play and a great pedigree.
What would they have to give up for No. 3? Only someone who is likely headed out anyway.
Wilson Chandler and Emmanuel Mudiay, the talented but turnover prone point guard could both head out to Philadelphia for the No. 3 pick. The Nuggets do it because it’s a no-brainer, they don’t need Mudiay and Chandler isn’t a part of their longterm future. The 76ers do it because they need athletic guards like Mudiay, and defense and shooting on the wing like Chandler.