NBA Draft 2018: 5 targets for the Denver Nuggets

COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 04: Ohio State Buckeyes forward Keita Bates-Diop (33) dribbles the ball in a game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 04, 2018 at Value City Arena in Columbus, OH. The Buckeyes won 75-67. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 20: Keita Bates-Diop #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes works the ball against Davonte Fitzgerald #20 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the second half during their game at Madison Square Garden on January 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

The Big 10 Player of the Year is an attractive prospect for the Nuggets. He got his start at Ohio State back with D’Angelo Russell, and was the more highly-regarded high school prospect, but decided to return to school to continue working on his game. An injury shelved him his junior year, but he came back for year four and thrived in the Buckeyes offense.

Bates-Diop is 3.5 years older than Kevin Knox, and with age comes wisdom. Bates-Diop is more of a polished player, and that shows on both ends of the court. Bates-Diop is a strong shooter off the dribble, and can create plays off the dribble. He’s a crafty player, knowing when and how to move around on offense to get open shots. He’s also a knowledgeable defender, using his length and acumen to stymie opposing team’s wings.

The reason he’s a good fit for the Nuggets is his ability to finish at the rim on offense while defending multiple positions on defense. Denver has a lot of terrible defenders, and they need all the help they can get.

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