2018 NBA Mock Draft: Who’s moving at the top?
Texas Tech. Zhaire Smith. 14. player. 73. . G/F
It surely disappointed teams when Smith measured at just 6-2 in Chicago, wrecking any chance that he plays the big man role that his style and skill set suggest he could be great in. Instead, a creative and versatile team like Denver must now absorb the surprisingly small wing and make it work as is.
Take stock of the Nuggets’ roster: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Gary Harris and Paul Millsap are locked in, while Malik Beasley, Trey Lyles and Juancho Hernangomez could be involved down the road, depending on the ultimate shape the team takes. Assuming it’s just those first four who are a core part of Denver’s plans moving forward, Smith fits beautifully.
Murray surely needs to develop his ball skills and passing efficiency to co-run the offense alongside Jokic, while Millsap will have to become more comfortable as a go-to scoring option until Harris grows into that role. Smith is best filling in the gaps, like he did for the upstart Red Raiders this year. Few teams offer an opportunity to do so like the Nuggets.
They were already the second-best offensive rebounding team in the league last season, but were a bottom-five defense. Smith already looks capable of competing defensively against NBA guards, saving Harris and Murray from having to go to war on that end every possession.
The fit will take some work, but it’s intriguing.