2018 NBA Mock Draft: Luka Doncic could accelerate the Hawks’ rebuild
Oregon. troy brown. 17. player. 73. .
The Nuggets have struggled lately, moving them up quite a few spots in 538’s odds. That means that they jump up an entire class of ball-handling prospects and get the opportunity to draft Brown.
In September, Denver never would have guessed that they would be starting scorer Will Barton so often. Yet thanks to the Paul Millsap injury, the Nuggets have had to get creative with their lineups. Barton, Trey Lyles and Mason Plumlee play huge roles on a nightly basis for this team, which is still trying to make the playoffs.
Their need for perimeter offense is evident. Brown could help that immediately, replacing Emmanuel Mudiay and bringing an element of creativity and versatility completely absent when Barton (who is on the final year of his deal) steps off the court. Brown has been an average 3-point shooter this year, but an above-average play-maker for his size.
Eventually, it makes sense for Denver to feature elite ball-handling and play-making at every position thanks to the head start Nikola Jokic provides them in that area. Brown starts them down this path.