2017 Draft

[SoCalNuggsFan]

I think I've fount my favorite under the radar player of this years class. Cameron Oliver from Nevada. He's basically a 3 point shooting, shot blocking Kenneth Faried. If he pans out, basically exactly what I want next to Jokic, rim protector whose also agile enough to guard stretch 4s, and a finisher for playing off Jokic on offense.

Maybe OG with our first, then trade chandler or Barton to jump back into the first to grab Oliver? Make everyone happy.

Most mocks that I've seen have him as a mid-to-late 2nd, I can't see him going in the 1st. He look like a solid player though. Good comparison as a Faried who can score.

He has the look of a riser. Translatable skill set, easy to see where he fits in the NBA, super athletic. Marquisse Chriss went from late first to #8 between the end of the college season and the draft last year, I think Oliver will be that kind of guy this year.

But hey, if we can package our 2 2nds and cash to move up and get him at like pick 45, even better.

Now that I think about it, faried was a riser too. If I recall correctly, he was mocked as a 2nd rounder during his last season.

[skywalker33]

One name that intrigues is C Laurynas Birutas, a 7'1" 215lb guy who can score and rebound. Definitely a draft n stash if he were to enter the draft

[MHZ]

I think I've fount my favorite under the radar player of this years class. Cameron Oliver from Nevada. He's basically a 3 point shooting, shot blocking Kenneth Faried. If he pans out, basically exactly what I want next to Jokic, rim protector whose also agile enough to guard stretch 4s, and a finisher for playing off Jokic on offense.

Maybe OG with our first, then trade chandler or Barton to jump back into the first to grab Oliver? Make everyone happy.

High on OG at the spot we're slotted in the draft.

Likelihood is no rookie will get any minutes next year anyway, so if he's slow coming back from injury, that's okay.

If we do take somebody who projects highly defensively (would be puzzling if we don't), it's really important to change some of the roster to have guys who have a defensive calling card. Can't bring in a rookie and expect he'll just be a defensive stalwart on a team full of guys who don't take pride in their defense. The culture there has to change. I think it's a big part of why Gary Harris hasn't become the defender he can be just yet.

[skywalker33]

I think I've fount my favorite under the radar player of this years class. Cameron Oliver from Nevada. He's basically a 3 point shooting, shot blocking Kenneth Faried. If he pans out, basically exactly what I want next to Jokic, rim protector whose also agile enough to guard stretch 4s, and a finisher for playing off Jokic on offense.

Maybe OG with our first, then trade chandler or Barton to jump back into the first to grab Oliver? Make everyone happy.

High on OG at the spot we're slotted in the draft.

Likelihood is no rookie will get any minutes next year anyway, so if he's slow coming back from injury, that's okay.

If we do take somebody who projects highly defensively (would be puzzling if we don't), it's really important to change some of the roster to have guys who have a defensive calling card. Can't bring in a rookie and expect he'll just be a defensive stalwart on a team full of guys who don't take pride in their defense. The culture there has to change. I think it's a big part of why Gary Harris hasn't become the defender he can be just yet.

Perhaps he will be ready at the trade deadline when Chandler starts to whine again....

[NuggetsWY]

Perhaps he will be ready at the trade deadline when Chandler starts to whine again....

To continue that response; why do the veterans get to whine and play but a young player whines and he doesn't play?
"Different situation"/"extenuating circumstances"/blah, blah, blah - I don't buy the corporate line and what really makes me wonder what the truth is; Nurkic never even argued - sounds like a class act (unlike Malone and the front office).

[skywalker33]

Perhaps he will be ready at the trade deadline when Chandler starts to whine again....

To continue that response; why do the veterans get to whine and play but a young player whines and he doesn't play?
"Different situation"/"extenuating circumstances"/blah, blah, blah - I don't buy the corporate line and what really makes me wonder what the truth is; Nurkic never even argued - sounds like a class act (unlike Malone and the front office).

If you think Nurkic acted professionally, please take off the rookie colored glasses. His effort and body language was louder than anything chandler said

[NuggetsWY]

Perhaps he will be ready at the trade deadline when Chandler starts to whine again....

To continue that response; why do the veterans get to whine and play but a young player whines and he doesn't play?
"Different situation"/"extenuating circumstances"/blah, blah, blah - I don't buy the corporate line and what really makes me wonder what the truth is; Nurkic never even argued - sounds like a class act (unlike Malone and the front office).

If you think Nurkic acted professionally, please take off the rookie colored glasses. His effort and body language was louder than anything chandler said

and here I was thinking this was his third year - he even pre-dated Malone and seemed to fit great back then
besides, I'd rather have a man passionate about playing than players that take quarters off without complaining

[SoCalNuggsFan]

Perhaps he will be ready at the trade deadline when Chandler starts to whine again....

To continue that response; why do the veterans get to whine and play but a young player whines and he doesn't play?
"Different situation"/"extenuating circumstances"/blah, blah, blah - I don't buy the corporate line and what really makes me wonder what the truth is; Nurkic never even argued - sounds like a class act (unlike Malone and the front office).

If you think Nurkic acted professionally, please take off the rookie colored glasses. His effort and body language was louder than anything chandler said

Not to mention everything he said to Bosnian media outlets.

[skywalker33]

To continue that response; why do the veterans get to whine and play but a young player whines and he doesn't play?
"Different situation"/"extenuating circumstances"/blah, blah, blah - I don't buy the corporate line and what really makes me wonder what the truth is; Nurkic never even argued - sounds like a class act (unlike Malone and the front office).

If you think Nurkic acted professionally, please take off the rookie colored glasses. His effort and body language was louder than anything chandler said

and here I was thinking this was his third year - he even pre-dated Malone and seemed to fit great back then
besides, I'd rather have a man passionate about playing than players that take quarters off without complaining

Did you see Nurkic play after Jokic was named the starter.....ME NEITHER (not yelling, just emphasizing for context), he took mins off, played without passion, it was pathetic.

[tstrick33]

I'm ok with the way Chandler "complains"? I guess you could call it that... He's very quiet and doesn't cause any Locker Room tension from what I've seen. He even clarified the rumors of him wanting to be traded to him just wanting an identified role. I do also believe Chandler gives it all on the court, he'll get in a funk cuz of some confidence issues but I don't believe he would ever do anything intentional to hurt the team on the court.

I believe Nurkic was a great locker room teammate but his play and on court demeanor after Jokic was named the started was painful to watch.

[NuggetsWY]

If you think Nurkic acted professionally, please take off the rookie colored glasses. His effort and body language was louder than anything chandler said

and here I was thinking this was his third year - he even pre-dated Malone and seemed to fit great back then
besides, I'd rather have a man passionate about playing than players that take quarters off without complaining

Did you see Nurkic play after Jokic was named the starter.....ME NEITHER (not yelling, just emphasizing for context), he took mins off, played without passion, it was pathetic.

Yup, we all noticed and most of us wondered why. Questions like: Did Malone even talk to him and explain why? -and- Why did Nurkic go from starting to not even playing in some games?

I am NOT saying Nurkic was without fault. I AM thinking Nurkic is younger than his coach and the coach is supposed to be able to deal with these young players. I thought that was why the Nuggets dumped Karl and tried Shaw (a 1st timer) and Malone (1+ years) - but still older and supposedly more mature than Nurkic.

[skywalker33]

OG is set to enter the draft, deliver him to the Nuggets on a platter please !!

[skywalker33]

and here I was thinking this was his third year - he even pre-dated Malone and seemed to fit great back then
besides, I'd rather have a man passionate about playing than players that take quarters off without complaining

Did you see Nurkic play after Jokic was named the starter.....ME NEITHER (not yelling, just emphasizing for context), he took mins off, played without passion, it was pathetic.

Yup, we all noticed and most of us wondered why. Questions like: Did Malone even talk to him and explain why? -and- Why did Nurkic go from starting to not even playing in some games?

I am NOT saying Nurkic was without fault. I AM thinking Nurkic is younger than his coach and the coach is supposed to be able to deal with these young players. I thought that was why the Nuggets dumped Karl and tried Shaw (a 1st timer) and Malone (1+ years) - but still older and supposedly more mature than Nurkic.

Certainly not gonna give Malone a pass, I agree he botched that handling and he HAD a reputation of dealing with player issues man-to-man, seems that was a bold-faced crock. He seems to have backtracked a bit on Mudiay, may get a shot of redemption there. But in no way to I give Nurkic a pass either, he (and his agent ) just tanked his trade value when the Nuggets agreed to trade him to a situation that benefited him, which they did.

Back on topic, one name for two players is Collins, Zach and John. Zach plays C but I feel he could play PF with Jokic, John is 2-3 years away but has a lot of talent.

[SoCalNuggsFan]

Did you see Nurkic play after Jokic was named the starter.....ME NEITHER (not yelling, just emphasizing for context), he took mins off, played without passion, it was pathetic.

Yup, we all noticed and most of us wondered why. Questions like: Did Malone even talk to him and explain why? -and- Why did Nurkic go from starting to not even playing in some games?

I am NOT saying Nurkic was without fault. I AM thinking Nurkic is younger than his coach and the coach is supposed to be able to deal with these young players. I thought that was why the Nuggets dumped Karl and tried Shaw (a 1st timer) and Malone (1+ years) - but still older and supposedly more mature than Nurkic.

Certainly not gonna give Malone a pass, I agree he botched that handling and he HAD a reputation of dealing with player issues man-to-man, seems that was a bold-faced crock. He seems to have backtracked a bit on Mudiay, may get a shot of redemption there. But in no way to I give Nurkic a pass either, he (and his agent ) just tanked his trade value when the Nuggets agreed to trade him to a situation that benefited him, which they did.

Back on topic, one name for two players is Collins, Zach and John. Zach plays C but I feel he could play PF with Jokic, John is 2-3 years away but has a lot of talent.

Think Zach is a center all the way. John is an intriguing fit though. One of those guys that can score 20 without a play called for him. Just knows where to be. That's the kinda guy you want next to Jokic on offense.

[MHZ]

Looks pretty certain we'll be picking at #13.

[NuggetsWY]

Looks pretty certain we'll be picking at #13.

Scanned four mock drafts from national media. Just looked at their top-20 picks. It might give us an idea of who will be available, although we all know that GMs never stay close to anybody's prognostications.

Fifteen players were in the top-20 of all four lists:
Fultz --- Ball --- Jackson --- Tatum --- Fox --- Isaac --- Monk --- Dennis Smith
Markkanen --- Ntilikina --- Bridges --- Zach Collins --- Jarrett Allen --- Patton --- Leaf

Two players were in the top-20 of three of the lists:
Anunoby --- Adebayo

Five players were in the top-20 of two of the lists:
Giles --- Hartenstein --- Ferguson --- Rabb --- Kurics

*** If you just look at the 15 players in all four lists, it looks very positive for the Nuggets to get a nice pick.
For those of us who like Anunoby, only one list had him above the #13 pick (#11) and one even had him out of the top-20.

[MHZ]

Great summary. It's also time for a reminder that as much as we all think "need defensive wing", BPA is almost always the approach unless it's pretty close. When you start reaching for need, you miss. I really like the idea of adding OG, but if our scouts don't see it, you don't take him. It's incredibly unlikely anybody at 13 is going to help this coming season, and you just never know how the roster will look in a 1-3 year window from draft day. I know people feel burned by the Nurkic/Jokic stuff, but they drafted Jokic because they saw tools that they thought could translate, not because they're trying to look at how he helps right away. Second round is a little different, but it's a good philosophy once you get out of the top 10. Even at 13, several of these guys aren't going to pan out at all, so go with guys you think will and figure it out from there.

Now, obviously if you're looking at a combo guard or center who isn't a rim protector being BPA, maybe you move out of the pick entirely. They did it really well in the Nurkic/Harris trade.

It's going to be fascinating to see where Harry Giles lands. If you want to swing for home run upside with considerable swing and miss potential, he's a good one.

Good primer on RealGM Radio today where the Nuggs and Gary Harris got some love, and they went through prospects a little bit:

Read on Twitter

[NuggetsWY]

Great summary. It's also time for a reminder that as much as we all think "need defensive wing", BPA is almost always the approach unless it's pretty close. When you start reaching for need, you miss. I really like the idea of adding OG, but if our scouts don't see it, you don't take him. It's incredibly unlikely anybody at 13 is going to help this coming season, and you just never know how the roster will look in a 1-3 year window from draft day.

Now, obviously if you're looking at a combo guard or center who isn't a rim protector being BPA, maybe you move out of the pick entirely. They did it really well in the Nurkic/Harris trade.

It's going to be fascinating to see where Harry Giles lands.

I'd like to hope our next rookie is a forward and that he gets 15-20 mpg by the end of the year, probably less early on.
BPA - yeah, that always makes sense, especially if you're willing to trade. I just don't trust our FO to trade a young player if we draft a PG or C. Then again, we can probably afford to gamble even there.

[MHZ]

I don't disagree on the confidence in our front office. They are way too often backed into a corner to get things done instead of being proactive - happened with Ty Lawson, happened last year in a draft they didn't want to use three picks, happened with Nurkic, and it could easily happen in this draft if you take a point guard or something. Even if you have no intention of your #13 pick playing this year, the message being sent is still a murky one.

It certainly seems, in recent years, like maneuvering picks has been really challenging for a number of teams. I would not at all be surprised to see the Nuggets dangle their pick along with another piece or two to get somebody who helps next year given how much youth they already have spread over three drafts and the extension realities that come with that. I actually kind of expect them to look to move the pick, personally.

Since upside always gets the best of me, I'll caveat that Giles would be a lot more intriguing if we had our own D-League affiliate and could really manage his knees and minutes closely while letting him make sure he's getting the reps he needs.

[NuggetsWY]

Since upside always gets the best of me, I'll caveat that Giles would be a lot more intriguing if we had our own D-League affiliate and could really manage his knees and minutes closely while letting him make sure he's getting the reps he needs.

They dangled the hope of a D-league affiliate ONE time this year. That's another area I have little confidence in that hope either.
As for Giles, yeah, of those likely to be available, he'd be my second pick (I think - but draft is not my expertise). He seems like the perfect fit next to Jokic. Can you see Jokic in a high post with Giles flashing into the lane down low? Alley-Oop!