2017 Draft

[The Rebel]

That is the thing that people are missing, the Suns wanted to trade Bledsoe either for their 2nd choice if Jackson did not fall to them or as part of a Porzingis trade, it takes 2 teams to trade and from all appearances it was the Suns who declined the deal.

People complaining about Lydon and Lyles really need to take a step back and think about what this team needs. You guys are right they are similar to Hernangomez, they are good or great spot up shooters who move very well off the ball and have some potential on defense. Stop and think about what this team needs from it's forwards.

IF the offense is going to run through Jokic and Plumlee with the PGs being secondary ball handlers, than we need forwards that can get open and move around the court to get good shots and open up passing lanes. That is why guys like Faried and Harris excel in our system while Chandler was left bitching and moaning. When your ball distributor is not moving around like a PG does, then your guys have to do the moving. These guys have potential to be good fits long term and if you look at the way the Nuggets have always drafted they draft a couple of very similar players and let them compete.

If you look at the numbers just going from Nelson to Murray and Mudiay will improve the defense considerably next season. Now we still need more defenders, but I have always felt that was coming from free agency.

Think about this, if they get 2 guys like Ingles and Millsap while removing Faried and Arthur, would you say that the team improved their defense and built around Jokic? I would be thrilled with a team like that. We were not drafting for the short term last night, if we were that would be stupid, and while it did not work out perfect I am fine with the way things went last night although I am still pissed that Portland used our pick with their own to move up and get Collins and the Spurs got White but that is for another post.

You think Lyles and Lydon addressed a team need? I don't see it that way, just adds to the overcrowded roster. As it stands now they won't even see consistent minutes this season. Nevermind what the Nuggets "might" do, cause sadly they never do anything you suggest.

Long term we needed a PF to spread the floor and be a spot up shooter. There really is no arguing that fact if you look at the strengths and weaknesses of the young guys on the roster.

[RRFB]

Draft day always brings out the biggest overreactions. If Toronto doesn't take OG at #23, we probably walk away with him and Lyles and everyone's happy. They took a mild gamble and it didn't work out. I still don't really understand the Lydon pick, but everyone thought Juancho was a "wtf" pick last year too. If there's anything Connelly deserves the benefit of the doubt on, it's his eye for talent, so I'm gonna wait and see before hitting the panic button.

I guess I don't understand what everyone wanted them to do. Most of you have been wanting them to stay the course, develop the young guys, and avoid a short-term win now move (like Bledsoe or Butler). That's exactly what they did, but now everyone's freaking out?

[RRFB]

As much as anything, I think Lyles serves as a form of insurance in case Plumlee leaves -- which was smart, imo. Cause the more I think about it, the less I want Plumlee back unless he comes at a ridiculous bargain.

The next few weeks are going to be really interesting, important, and difficult for this FO. This roster is a bit of a clusterf*ck right now, and based on TC/AK's comments night, I think they realize that. I keep going back to Will Barton's quote at the end of the year: "This team needs to decide who they want to be." Do they want to take a step back and focus on development, or do they want to make a serious push towards the playoffs? No more of this in-between BS. Having a roster with such a level talent field and no clear pecking order makes Malone's job really, really difficult and that has obviously created tension and damaged some of our assets.

[MHZ]

That is the thing that people are missing, the Suns wanted to trade Bledsoe either for their 2nd choice if Jackson did not fall to them or as part of a Porzingis trade, it takes 2 teams to trade and from all appearances it was the Suns who declined the deal.

People complaining about Lydon and Lyles really need to take a step back and think about what this team needs. You guys are right they are similar to Hernangomez, they are good or great spot up shooters who move very well off the ball and have some potential on defense. Stop and think about what this team needs from it's forwards.

IF the offense is going to run through Jokic and Plumlee with the PGs being secondary ball handlers, than we need forwards that can get open and move around the court to get good shots and open up passing lanes. That is why guys like Faried and Harris excel in our system while Chandler was left bitching and moaning. When your ball distributor is not moving around like a PG does, then your guys have to do the moving. These guys have potential to be good fits long term and if you look at the way the Nuggets have always drafted they draft a couple of very similar players and let them compete.

If you look at the numbers just going from Nelson to Murray and Mudiay will improve the defense considerably next season. Now we still need more defenders, but I have always felt that was coming from free agency.

Think about this, if they get 2 guys like Ingles and Millsap while removing Faried and Arthur, would you say that the team improved their defense and built around Jokic? I would be thrilled with a team like that. We were not drafting for the short term last night, if we were that would be stupid, and while it did not work out perfect I am fine with the way things went last night although I am still pissed that Portland used our pick with their own to move up and get Collins and the Spurs got White but that is for another post.

You think Lyles and Lydon addressed a team need? I don't see it that way, just adds to the overcrowded roster. As it stands now they won't even see consistent minutes this season. Nevermind what the Nuggets "might" do, cause sadly they never do anything you suggest.

Long term we needed a PF to spread the floor and be a spot up shooter. There really is no arguing that fact if you look at the strengths and weaknesses of the young guys on the roster.

Oh, boy. That's a tough sell.

Juancho? Arthur? Chandler? All three play a lot of 4 and do exactly that. The only free agent target I think we can all agree that they'll pursue and have some type of shot at is Millsap, who also does that.

My concern is this team doesn't see the glaring weaknesses from a toughness/athleticism/defensive standpoint, or doesn't care, because we keep adding the same type of guys that do none of those things.

Connelly saying you get better on defense internally not by adding new players was incredibly bizarre for a guy who's usually pretty thoughtful.

[The Rebel]

Draft day always brings out the biggest overreactions. If Toronto doesn't take OG at #23, we probably walk away with him and Lyles and everyone's happy. They took a mild gamble and it didn't work out. I still don't really understand the Lydon pick, but everyone thought Juancho was a "wtf" pick last year too. If there's anything Connelly deserves the benefit of the doubt on, it's his eye for talent, so I'm gonna wait and see before hitting the panic button.

I guess I don't understand what everyone wanted them to do. Most of you have been wanting them to stay the course, develop the young guys, and avoid a short-term win now move (like Bledsoe or Butler). That's exactly what they did, but now everyone's freaking out?

The Twolves made a move and the Nuggets traded down after talk about trading up so people are freaking out. I always expected the fireworks to start July 1st, but was hoping they would move a couple of veterans by now.

[dakomish23]

Knicks fan here

Would you guys prefer the package you got for 13 or WHG? He would be the back up C & you let Plumlee walk. Still on a contract that pays about 1.5 mil per for the next 3 years.

Just a discussion I was having with some Knicks fans, so I was hoping to get your take.

[MHZ]

We're the wrong people to ask. I don't really like Lyles, but I can live with that trade if they got Jordan Bell or OG or Jonah Bolden at 24. Lydon was so far off my radar as far as who I thought we needed that I don't know if I'm a good barometer by what's likely.

Personally, I don't see the point in trading for WHG because I think your backup C is an easy spot to fill. The Nuggets probably would have thrown in extra picks to get it done, for all I know.

[skywalker33]

What I'm "freaking out" about is not necessarily the players but more that this draft fills absolutely ZERO of our goals or our needs while also just creating more depth issues to deal with, something we haven't been able to address over the past two years. I'm worried that we're going to be eating some contracts by having to waive some guys rather than being able to consummate some trades. Buyouts are coming and that show poor management to me, mark my words.

[The Rebel]

http://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/nuggets-nab-trey-lyles-on-draft-night

Looks like the Nuggets have been interested in Lyles for a while.

[The Rebel]

Oh, boy. That's a tough sell.

Juancho? Arthur? Chandler? All three play a lot of 4 and do exactly that. The only free agent target I think we can all agree that they'll pursue and have some type of shot at is Millsap, who also does that.

My concern is this team doesn't see the glaring weaknesses from a toughness/athleticism/defensive standpoint, or doesn't care, because we keep adding the same type of guys that do none of those things.

Connelly saying you get better on defense internally not by adding new players was incredibly bizarre for a guy who's usually pretty thoughtful.

I am pretty sure they view Juancho as a SF otherwise why all the talk about adding a PF leading into the draft? Arthur is injury prone and is not someone we should be counting on at this point, and Chandler is gone at some point over the next year as I do not see him resigning even if he is not traded. Lyles and Lydon both have potential to fit with our young core for a very long time.

I agree toughness and athleticism is a big need and while Lydon played zone in college he was actually rated pretty highly ont he defensive end.

There have been rumors that they like Ingles for the last few weeks, and if we can get Millsap and Ingles, plus replace Nelson's minutes with more going to Murray and Mudiay than this team improves considerably on defense.

They still have plenty of time to make some moves, and I think last night does not leave them much choice, but this overreaction from the draft is a waste of time. I think it is foolish to expect any contribution from a guy taken out of the top 10 in his 1st year if you have a decent team.

As for defense, some of it is talent, but we both know that the biggest factors in defense is scheme and effort, last year we failed on both. That is up to Malone and the players on the court to change, adding in a couple of defenders will help, but the whole team has to put the effort and energy into that end.

[NuggetsWY]

Draft day always brings out the biggest overreactions. If Toronto doesn't take OG at #23, we probably walk away with him and Lyles and everyone's happy. They took a mild gamble and it didn't work out. I still don't really understand the Lydon pick, but everyone thought Juancho was a "wtf" pick last year too. If there's anything Connelly deserves the benefit of the doubt on, it's his eye for talent, so I'm gonna wait and see before hitting the panic button.

I guess I don't understand what everyone wanted them to do. Most of you have been wanting them to stay the course, develop the young guys, and avoid a short-term win now move (like Bledsoe or Butler). That's exactly what they did, but now everyone's freaking out?

and how many people on here made it clear they wanted Anunoby? Many people on here were shouting about "rim protection" and "defense". Anunoby with his athleticism, attitude, and tremendous wing span provided both of those. Instead we traded for 2 stretch-4 shooters with limited defense and not much rim protection. That is what people wanted them to do regarding "stay the course" - that is what they said they were going to do, draft for defense. They did not do so. "Develop young guys" doesn't mean just the ones we have; that would include our #13 pick this year and our future first round picks, along with some potential 2nd round picks.

[The Rebel]

What I'm "freaking out" about is not necessarily the players but more that this draft fills absolutely ZERO of our goals or our needs while also just creating more depth issues to deal with, something we haven't been able to address over the past two years. I'm worried that we're going to be eating some contracts by having to waive some guys rather than being able to consummate some trades. Buyouts are coming and that show poor management to me, mark my words.

We are talking about the Kroenkes there is no way they are buying guys out, we may not get full value in a trade but they will be traded.

[NuggetsWY]

As much as anything, I think Lyles serves as a form of insurance in case Plumlee leaves -- which was smart, imo. Cause the more I think about it, the less I want Plumlee back unless he comes at a ridiculous bargain.

The next few weeks are going to be really interesting, important, and difficult for this FO. This roster is a bit of a clusterf*ck right now, and based on TC/AK's comments night, I think they realize that. I keep going back to Will Barton's quote at the end of the year: "This team needs to decide who they want to be." Do they want to take a step back and focus on development, or do they want to make a serious push towards the playoffs? No more of this in-between BS. Having a roster with such a level talent field and no clear pecking order makes Malone's job really, really difficult and that has obviously created tension and damaged some of our assets.

I can just see Lyles playing center against D.Jordan & Gasol or Gasol or Cousins or Drummond or several others. Teams are going to have to add drooling bibs to their centers' uniforms if Lyles is playing center.

[The Rebel]

Knicks fan here

Would you guys prefer the package you got for 13 or WHG? He would be the back up C & you let Plumlee walk. Still on a contract that pays about 1.5 mil per for the next 3 years.

Just a discussion I was having with some Knicks fans, so I was hoping to get your take.

One of Lyles or Lydon have the chance to be long term fits at starting PF over the next couple of years, WHG will never be able to become a starter in Denver and would likely not be happy playing 15 mpg. We can sign any number of guys to be backup center this year, so that is not a priority.

[skywalker33]

I agree toughness and athleticism is a big need and while Lydon played zone in college he was actually rated pretty highly on the defensive end.

I don't know where you get your info, but here are 3 draft publications that dismiss your assertion about him being highly rated as a defender

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/tyler-lydon
"Weaknesses: Comes into the league with limited conventional defensive ability, after playing in Jim Boeheim's 2-3 zone for the past two years ... D is a big question mark "

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Tyler-Lydon-71672/
" Defensively, Lydon has been fairly productive in Syracuse's zone, averaging 1.1 steals and 1.6 blocks per game over 71 games at the college level, and though he possesses terrific instincts and timing, he remains a bit of a mixed bag for the next level. Lacking a degree of lateral quickness on the perimeter and physicality and length inside and on the boards, Lydon nonetheless proved to be a very solid team defender playing multiple spots on the back line of Syracuse's zone. His defensive potential at the next level is a bit of a question mark as his inconsistent presence on the glass and lack of length to defend the power forward spot could certainly limit him in certain matchups. " Mixed review here but didn't want it to be said I was selective about it.

http://www.nbadraftroom.com/2016/09/tyler-lydon.html
"Will be a liability on post defense when guarding power forwards and doesn't necessarily have the foot-speed to guard most wings.

If he can hold his own defensively he has a chance to earn minutes at the next level but for now he's too one dimensional on offense and might be just a situational player"

[Powder Blue]

Oh, boy. That's a tough sell.

Juancho? Arthur? Chandler? All three play a lot of 4 and do exactly that. The only free agent target I think we can all agree that they'll pursue and have some type of shot at is Millsap, who also does that.

My concern is this team doesn't see the glaring weaknesses from a toughness/athleticism/defensive standpoint, or doesn't care, because we keep adding the same type of guys that do none of those things.

Connelly saying you get better on defense internally not by adding new players was incredibly bizarre for a guy who's usually pretty thoughtful.

I am pretty sure they view Juancho as a SF otherwise why all the talk about adding a PF leading into the draft? Arthur is injury prone and is not someone we should be counting on at this point, and Chandler is gone at some point over the next year as I do not see him resigning even if he is not traded. Lyles and Lydon both have potential to fit with our young core for a very long time.

I agree toughness and athleticism is a big need and while Lydon played zone in college he was actually rated pretty highly ont he defensive end.

There have been rumors that they like Ingles for the last few weeks, and if we can get Millsap and Ingles, plus replace Nelson's minutes with more going to Murray and Mudiay than this team improves considerably on defense.

They still have plenty of time to make some moves, and I think last night does not leave them much choice, but this overreaction from the draft is a waste of time. I think it is foolish to expect any contribution from a guy taken out of the top 10 in his 1st year if you have a decent team.

As for defense, some of it is talent, but we both know that the biggest factors in defense is scheme and effort, last year we failed on both. That is up to Malone and the players on the court to change, adding in a couple of defenders will help, but the whole team has to put the effort and energy into that end.

I think it's foolish to think we'll see big moves in free agency. Other than making multiple draft picks this current regime has never made big moves.

[U hova]

http://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/nuggets-nab-trey-lyles-on-draft-night

Looks like the Nuggets have been interested in Lyles for a while.

whadya know another gutsy gamble fueled by an obsession

[skywalker33]

http://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/nuggets-nab-trey-lyles-on-draft-night

Looks like the Nuggets have been interested in Lyles for a while.

whadya know another gutsy gamble fueled by an obsession

Ouch !!

[The Rebel]

Oh, boy. That's a tough sell.

Juancho? Arthur? Chandler? All three play a lot of 4 and do exactly that. The only free agent target I think we can all agree that they'll pursue and have some type of shot at is Millsap, who also does that.

My concern is this team doesn't see the glaring weaknesses from a toughness/athleticism/defensive standpoint, or doesn't care, because we keep adding the same type of guys that do none of those things.

Connelly saying you get better on defense internally not by adding new players was incredibly bizarre for a guy who's usually pretty thoughtful.

I am pretty sure they view Juancho as a SF otherwise why all the talk about adding a PF leading into the draft? Arthur is injury prone and is not someone we should be counting on at this point, and Chandler is gone at some point over the next year as I do not see him resigning even if he is not traded. Lyles and Lydon both have potential to fit with our young core for a very long time.

I agree toughness and athleticism is a big need and while Lydon played zone in college he was actually rated pretty highly ont he defensive end.

There have been rumors that they like Ingles for the last few weeks, and if we can get Millsap and Ingles, plus replace Nelson's minutes with more going to Murray and Mudiay than this team improves considerably on defense.

They still have plenty of time to make some moves, and I think last night does not leave them much choice, but this overreaction from the draft is a waste of time. I think it is foolish to expect any contribution from a guy taken out of the top 10 in his 1st year if you have a decent team.

As for defense, some of it is talent, but we both know that the biggest factors in defense is scheme and effort, last year we failed on both. That is up to Malone and the players on the court to change, adding in a couple of defenders will help, but the whole team has to put the effort and energy into that end.

I think it's foolish to think we'll see big moves in free agency. Other than making multiple draft picks this current regime has never made big moves.

I think it is considerably more foolish that so many are acting Like the off-season is over and the Nuggets are doing nothing. Everybody is getting their panties in a bunch over a draft that we all know the pick was not going to play this year. The off-season just started and we have a meeting scheduled with arguably the top free agent in the league that is likely to switch teams. It is like you guys cannot remember when we sold or traded every pick so we could sign some dleaguer. Now we have a team so packed that the rookie they reportedly like the best couldn't get minutes last year.

Everybody complaining needs to go look at the teams that had half of their top 10 players in their 1st 3 years and look at their records, than get back to me. I understand non-nuggets fans talking, but for people who are supposedly super fans I am really disappointed people are throwing temper tantrums like they are. we have our young core that can develop into a contender, yet you guys want to complain about the 13th man?

[NuggetsWY]

I think it is considerably more foolish that so many are acting Like the off-season is over and the Nuggets are doing nothing. Everybody is getting their panties in a bunch over a draft that we all know the pick was not going to play this year. The off-season just started and we have a meeting scheduled with arguably the top free agent in the league that is likely to switch teams. It is like you guys cannot remember when we sold or traded every pick so we could sign some dleaguer. Now we have a team so packed that the rookie they reportedly like the best couldn't get minutes last year.

Everybody complaining needs to go look at the teams that had half of their top 10 players in their 1st 3 years and look at their records, than get back to me. I understand non-nuggets fans talking, but for people who are supposedly super fans I am really disappointed people are throwing temper tantrums like they are. we have our young core that can develop into a contender, yet you guys want to complain about the 13th man?

Ok and I get that, but let me ask, do you really believe that Lyles & Lydon can be traded for next years #13 pick? Seems we've already lost value - sorta' like driving a new car off the lot. On the other hand a team that gambled on Anunoby or Giles or some others, may have more value than the equivalent pick next year (then again, they too could have less value but they seem to have better prospects than Denver).

At the same time, if our pick had any value, it could have been combined with a veteran or two and brought in a player that would fit our needs, which our draft do not do. Perhaps the reason people are so angry and disappointed, not just here but on multiple blogs and such, is because the Nuggets said, "Blah, blah, blah" and we're feeling like we've heard the little boy cry wolf too many times.