Fansided

2017 FanSided NBA Network Mock Draft: Let the experts decide

By Staff

March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) loses the ball out of bounds against the Michigan Wolverines during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Michigan wins 72-69. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) loses the ball out of bounds against the Michigan Wolverines during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Michigan wins 72-69. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
13

OG Anunoby

Forward, Indiana

While Nikola Jokic is developing nicely, he is still a liability on the defensive side of the court. It is no secret that the Denver Nuggets were one of the worst defensive teams in the league and it cost them a playoff berth in the long run. This needs to be remedied going forward. That is where O.G. Anunoby comes in at the No. 13 pick.

While there are concerns about his health, Denver is in a position where they need to take some risks in order to get back into postseason contention. If that means drafting a player who may have to sit out a year, then so be it. O.G.’s potential is sky-high and while his potential is raw, he could really do some great things in the Mile High city. He could drastically improve Denver’s 29th ranked defensive efficiency rating if he can get healthy.

The Nuggets already have plenty of offensive firepower as they were in the same ranks as Golden State and Houston from an offensive standpoint. What they need to focus on now is the defensive side of the floor. It would make no sense for the Nuggets to draft an offense-oriented player when it is abundantly clear that defense is what’s holding them back. The Nuggets would be taking a major gamble with Anunoby, but it would be a risk that would pay off in the long run.

— Matthew Huff, Nugg Love, @Nugg_Love