4. Bam Adebayo

Age: 19 Size: 6-foot-10, 250 pounds 

2016-17 Stats: 13.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 0.8 APG 

With the Nuggets needing defense, rim protection specifically, it’s only fair to put a tried and true, old-school center on this list. Bam Adebayo is that guy. A product of the University of Kentucky, Adebayo has the coaching and skill set to make a name for himself at the next level.

Adebayo is one of the strongest post players in the draft and boasts both strength and versatility while in the post. While he is solid down low in one-on-one situations, Adebayo’s biggest strong suit comes in transition on the glass. He is a wrecking ball on the glass in transition, capable of scoring and overpowering his opponents in the low block.

Defensively, Adebayo brings the rim protection the Nuggets need. He averaged 1.5 blocks per game as a Wildcat and has the potential to do the same at the next level. Thanks to his size and athleticism, Adebayo moves around the rim in an effective and quick manner, which allows him to both step up and guard a man driving in the lane, or sit back and block a shot.

While his inside game is solid, his perimeter game needs a lot of work. He has trouble scoring from outside the paint and struggles at getting out to defend the perimeter at times. Also, the Nuggets have found problems in the past with playing two big men at the same time with their current style of play, meaning Adebayo would be drafted primarily as a bench player and backup center to Jokic by default.

While his game does not directly fit with what the Nuggets are trying to do, his shot blocking and defensive potential fit their exact needs. Fit will be an issue, but based on raw skill, Adebayo helps fill some of Denver’s biggest holes on defense.