2017 Draft prospects and draft pick watch

[skywalker33]

I know this is early but here's an interesting article with updates to come.

http://www.denverstiffs.com/2016/12/18/13996938/2017-stiffs-prospect-watch-big-board-2

Also nice to not the MEM pick has moved from 26 to 23 in recent days, but Conley appears to be coming back so expect it to change, for good or bad. Our pick is currently 10th, here's a good site to keep track

http://www.tankathon.com/

While this can change anytime before/up to the trade deadline, I see us good at the Center position and at SG. I think our PF needs an upgrade and we can definitely use a young SF. PG, whether starter or backup, may need to be evaluated as well, it's hard to say with Mudiay still an unknown and what we're going to do with Murray.

So here's what I currently like at each spot

10th pick
Harry Giles (might be a injury concern if he falls this far)
Lauri Markkanen
OG Anunoby
Jonathon Isaac
De'Aaron Fox
Ivan Rabb

23rd pick
Isaiah Hartenstein (based on potential, bit risky)
Frank Jackson
Tyler Lydon
Alec Peters

[NuggetsWY]

While this can change anytime before/up to the trade deadline, I see us good at the Center position and at SG. I think our PF needs an upgrade and we can definitely use a young SF. PG, whether starter or backup, may need to be evaluated as well, it's hard to say with Mudiay still an unknown and what we're going to do with Murray.

Totally agree and like your forward picks, some more than others but time will tell. I don't think we need to draft another PG, especially at #10. We've used our top pick for a PG two years in a row. We also have a stash in Europe and Nelson has one more year on his contract. I think we could wait one more year unless we truly believe Mudiay and/or Murray is not going to make it as a PG in the NBA.

Then, just for fun, what if we trade someone? We might need another center or PG; maybe our focus at forward will lean towards PF or maybe SF. I seriously doubt we'll be focusing on SG even if one of ours is traded.

[skywalker33]

So let's say the Nuggets get the 10th pick and PF Harry Giles from Duke is there. He has played averaging 13PPG and 8rpg. Would you take a chance on him ?

[SoCalNuggsFan]

Depends on what the team doctors say pre-draft. Him and Jokic together would be awesome though

[NuggetsWY]

Watched him in just one game and read about him on one website. Here's my thoughts, based on those two:

He's 6'11" with a 7'3" wingspan and very athletic. He has a pretty high basketball IQ. He tore an ACL last year. Great hustle for loose balls and rebounds on both ends. Not a great ball handler - has turnover issues.

Offense is pretty good but is a face-up player, not back-to-the-basket. One of the nicest hook shots I've ever seen and he uses it further out than most players will go. He seems to be able to use either hand when close to the hoop. His jump shot is what the pros call "broken". The motion is awkward and not smooth. But he makes quite a few of those shots, so ... I don't know.

He seems able to guard centers, PFs, and SFs with ease and even switched on guards he had a nice lateral quickness. But he takes gambles and bites on pump-fakes and head-fakes (and the pros are even better at those).

He might make a very good partner to Jokic. They seem to complement each other's strengths and weaknesses. I don't know if he'd be my first choice but I'm not sure I'd be upset if the Nuggets picked him. Of course that's a long time off, as the OP said. So I reserve the right to change my mind at a later date and say, "What in the world was I thinking?" LOL

[Chuck Everett]

No on Giles. Two ACL tears and is probably a shell of himself athletically. Someone else has to be a better prospect than him, who doesn't have the physical issues.

[skywalker33]

No on Giles. Two ACL tears and is probably a shell of himself athletically. Someone else has to be a better prospect than him, who doesn't have the physical issues.

Well, I do like OG Anunoby as well as Lauri Markkanen, either would look great as part of the front court next to Jokic

[SoCalNuggsFan]

I'd love josh Jackson as our 3 of the future. Great vision and passing ability for a wing. He's fit right in with Jokic, Mudiay and Murray

[skywalker33]

I'd love josh Jackson as our 3 of the future. Great vision and passing ability for a wing. He's fit right in with Jokic, Mudiay and Murray

LUV, LUV, LUV Jackson but he's a top 3 pick and I can't see us getting there, unless Malone continues with his coaching madness...er, magic !

[Chuck Everett]

If the Nuggets are picking top ten, I like Bam Adebayo, 6'10 PF. He is an athletic specimen, who is also a rim protector. He would play well with Jokic and could catch lobs from Murray, Mudiay and Harris.

[skywalker33]

If the Nuggets are picking top ten, I like Bam Adebayo, 6'10 PF. He is an athletic specimen, who is also a rim protector. He would play well with Jokic and could catch lobs from Murray, Mudiay and Harris.

I think Bam will go in the 15-19 range, I'd rather try to use the MEM pick & a player to move up to get him rather than use our top pick on him.

I think we COULD get both OG Anunoby and Bam in this draft, that would be amazing !

[skywalker33]

Well, current win streak isn't helping our draft positioning in what is described as best draft in 10 years. However, MEM does seem to be declining may drop down to 20th spot.

[Powder Blue]

Does the draft pick matter with this coach and roster? Kids will just ride the pine too long anyways. One might eventually earn some PT while the other will be moved for a future pick and the process will just repeat its self.

[NuggetsWY]

So under Karl it was "first round exits" - under Malone it's going to be "#7 picks"? Argghh!

[skywalker33]

I'd be OK with one more year at #7 in this draft, we can get another real good piece

[NuggetsWY]

I'd be OK with one more year at #7 in this draft, we can get another real good piece

#7 the first can play no matter how poorly
#7 the second's minutes started slow, then went up - way up, then went down, back up a little, no sliding down again
#7 the third? Hmmm, no minutes? 30+ mpg? D-league? Euro-stash?
Should we start a pool as to how many minutes next year's top Nuggets' rookie averages?

[skywalker33]

I'd be OK with one more year at #7 in this draft, we can get another real good piece

#7 the first can play no matter how poorly
#7 the second's minutes started slow, then went up - way up, then went down, back up a little, no sliding down again
#7 the third? Hmmm, no minutes? 30+ mpg? D-league? Euro-stash?
Should we start a pool as to how many minutes next year's top Nuggets' rookie averages?

WY. you're jaded bro, . Granted I can't argue with with your assessment as it is spot on, but this draft is noted as "the best in 10 years" as well as one of the deepest in a long while. To me, that says the #7 in this draft is likened to a top 3-4 pick in most others. To already predict "no minutes" is a bit over-the-top IMO, but I'm a bit jaded too . Two other factors will be who is still on the roster as well as who is coaching this team, which may be a bit wishful thinking on my part. Both of these can impact Murray as well, although I do think Malone makes it though the season.

Seems like this year is going to just like the last 2 years, I'm already looking for draft position than I am for wins.

[NuggetsWY]

I'd be OK with one more year at #7 in this draft, we can get another real good piece

#7 the first can play no matter how poorly
#7 the second's minutes started slow, then went up - way up, then went down, back up a little, no sliding down again
#7 the third? Hmmm, no minutes? 30+ mpg? D-league? Euro-stash?
Should we start a pool as to how many minutes next year's top Nuggets' rookie averages?

WY. you're jaded bro, . Granted I can't argue with with your assessment as it is spot on, but this draft is noted as "the best in 10 years" as well as one of the deepest in a long while. To me, that says the #7 in this draft is likened to a top 3-4 pick in most others. To already predict "no minutes" is a bit over-the-top IMO, but I'm a bit jaded too . Two other factors will be who is still on the roster as well as who is coaching this team, which may be a bit wishful thinking on my part. Both of these can impact Murray as well, although I do think Malone makes it though the season.

Seems like this year is going to just like the last 2 years, I'm already looking for draft position than I am for wins.

Two more first round picks - we could trade some veterans and gain another pick or two - two is enough with all the youth we have, but with this deep draft, I wouldn't mind three firsts - but I doubt the front office would pay the price; it might take two of our veterans to get a lottery level pick and even then I'm not sure anyone will be interested unless they put unreasonable protection on it (like top seven or something close to that)

Ages next year

20 Murray
21 Mudiay
21 Beasley
22 Jokic
22 Hernangomez
23 Nurkic
23 Harris

Add in two rookies and maybe two stashed players

23 Radicevic
22 Cornelie

That could be 11 players 23 years old and under - I suspect it will be more like 8-9 players with some stashed.
That leaves 4-7 slots for veterans. I'd sure hate to see 7 veterans next year. Five or six would be acceptable to me at least. We have eight veterans right now.

Next year's age

37 Miller
35 Nelson
30 Chandler
30 Gee
29 Gallinari
29 Arthur
28 Faried
26 Barton - wouldn't mind keeping him

[skywalker33]

#7 the first can play no matter how poorly
#7 the second's minutes started slow, then went up - way up, then went down, back up a little, no sliding down again
#7 the third? Hmmm, no minutes? 30+ mpg? D-league? Euro-stash?
Should we start a pool as to how many minutes next year's top Nuggets' rookie averages?

WY. you're jaded bro, . Granted I can't argue with with your assessment as it is spot on, but this draft is noted as "the best in 10 years" as well as one of the deepest in a long while. To me, that says the #7 in this draft is likened to a top 3-4 pick in most others. To already predict "no minutes" is a bit over-the-top IMO, but I'm a bit jaded too . Two other factors will be who is still on the roster as well as who is coaching this team, which may be a bit wishful thinking on my part. Both of these can impact Murray as well, although I do think Malone makes it though the season.

Seems like this year is going to just like the last 2 years, I'm already looking for draft position than I am for wins.

Two more first round picks - we could trade some veterans and gain another pick or two - two is enough with all the youth we have, but with this deep draft, I wouldn't mind three firsts - but I doubt the front office would pay the price; it might take two of our veterans to get a lottery level pick and even then I'm not sure anyone will be interested unless they put unreasonable protection on it (like top seven or something close to that)

Ages next year

20 Murray
21 Mudiay
21 Beasley
22 Jokic
22 Hernangomez
23 Nurkic
23 Harris

Add in two rookies and maybe two stashed players

23 Radicevic
22 Cornelie

That could be 11 players 23 years old and under - I suspect it will be more like 8-9 players with some stashed.
That leaves 4-7 slots for veterans. I'd sure hate to see 7 veterans next year. Five or six would be acceptable to me at least. We have eight veterans right now.

Next year's age

37 Miller
35 Nelson
30 Chandler
30 Gee
29 Gallinari
29 Arthur
28 Faried
26 Barton - wouldn't mind keeping him

Don't forget the new CBA is allowing 2 more players per roster...

[NuggetsWY]

Don't forget the new CBA is allowing 2 more players per roster...

Uh, I forgot Seriously, I did. My only excuse is the meds I have to take for a while are kicking my backside and jarring the topside.