2016 NBA Draft: where are they now?

TORONTO, ON - MAY 7: Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reaches in on Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43). Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers in1st half action of Round 2, Game 5 of NBA playoff play at Scotiabank Arena. Raptors win 125-89 and now lead series 3-2. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 23: Juan Hernangomez poses with Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted 15th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 23, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

15. Juan Hernangomez, Denver Nuggets

Hernangomez was one of the most interesting international prospects available in the 2016 NBA Draft. Coming off of winning the ACB Best Young Player Award in 2016 while playing for Estudiantes, it was clear that he was talented. It was unknown whether or not Hernangomez would remain in Spain or come to the NBA after being selected. Hernangomez turned pro in 2012 at the age of 17 and after two years at the second team, he then spent 2014-16 on the main team.

Denver had accumulated several picks in the 2016 NBA Draft, including three in the first round. This was their second of the night after taking Jamal Murray with the No. 7 pick earlier. With a lot of youth coming their way via this draft, the Nuggets weren’t scared away by the possibility of Hernangomez remaining overseas after they took him. They had time to wait and also had room to work in multiple rookies heading into the 2016-17 season.

In his first year in the NBA, Hernangomez played in 62 total games and even got to start in nine of them. He brought two things to the table immediately: three-point shooting and rebounding. Hernangomez made 40.7 percent of his three-pointers and averaged three rebounds per game as a rookie. His Per 36 minutes averages of 13 points and eight rebounds made it seem as if he was just waiting to break out if he was given more minutes the following year.

But mononucleosis would sideline him for all but 25 games in year two and his lack of conditioning saw his minutes actually drop. Last year, he played a career-high 19.4 minutes per game and shot a respectable 36.5 percent on three-pointers. Yet, the momentum he had built up during his rookie season had passed him by.

On a very deep Nuggets team, Hernangomez could potentially be the odd man out—especially with Denver very high on last year’s 14th-overall pick Michael Porter Jr. If he can get back to a 40 percent three-point shooter it’s likely that he would secure a spot in the rotation.

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