The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft begins next week on Wednesday, June 26th. A second round takes place the next day. The Denver Nuggets currently possess the 28th and 56th overall picks. With the Nuggets coming off of a painful second round defeat in the playoffs, there’s no telling what General Manager Calvin Booth and the Nuggets brain trust decide to do. Will they keep the picks, trade up, trade down, or move them for a veteran contributor? Everything’s on the table, so let’s discuss a wide variety of players in this week’s NBA Draft Positional Previews.
Other Position Previews
Point Guards | Small Forwards | Power Forwards
Five Shooting Guard Prospects
Kyshawn George – Miami
Age: 20 | Height: 6’7″ | Weight: 209 | Wingspan: 6’10.3″
Per Game Stats: 23.0 minutes, 7.6 points, 2.2 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 turnovers
Shooting Splits: 42.6 FG%, 40.8 3P%, 77.6 FT%, 58.2 TS%
Kyshawn George is a polarizing one-and-done prospect for the University of Miami. George came off the bench in half of his games playing behind several upperclassmen, but he proved to be a valuable contributor throughout the seasonHe’s a dangerous three-point shooter and displays confidence from all over the three-point line and adds to his game as a solid playmaker off the dribble. George shot 3-of-13 from three during the month of November. After the first six games of his college career, he shot 50-of-117 from three (42.7%) the rest of the way. He can shoot, he can make passes, and he’s big enough to defend with versatility.
George isn’t the best athlete in the world, and he’s a bit young and inexperienced. He has a lot to learn, and the next level could be a bit of a shock to the system for him. Still, I think he’s fairly talented and would be an interesting bet the Nuggets could make as a bench shooter/playmaker. There’s some overlap with Julian Strawther though, and that makes this selection unlikely if the Nuggets are committed to Strawther. Still, you can never have too much wing shooting, especially with the Nuggets facing the impending free agency of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Terrence Shannon Jr. – Illinois
Age: 23 | Height: 6’5.8″ | Weight: 220 | Wingspan: 6’8.8″
Per Game Stats: 33.9 minutes, 23.0 points, 2.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 turnovers
Shooting Splits: 47.5 FG% 36.2 3P%, 80.1 FT%, 62.2 TS%
Unlike Kyshawn George, Terrence Shannon Jr. is a plus athlete who’s closer to ready at the NBA level. He picks up points in transition, defends with intensity and smarts, and handled a heavy scoring load at the college level. Shannon averaged 23.0 points per game, one of the highest marks in the entire country, as a slasher off the dribble and getting to the free throw line. Shannon averaged 8.6 free throw attempts per game in his final season. He’s not a great outside shooter, and his in-between game isn’t that efficient. There’s potential for him to make an NBA impact if he can find some defensive consistency. He’s capable.
The elephant in the room was his legal situation. He was found not guilty of rape and sexual battery a few days ago in Kansas, a court case that had been going on for nine months. Situations like these are always very delicate without knowing all of the details, but perhaps a not guilty verdict will pave his way back to an NBA future. The Nuggets would of course have to do their due diligence, and I’m sure all teams are hoping to learn the same.
If everything comes back clear, Shannon appears to be a player that could help any team. His driving game to the basket would be very useful in Denver, as would his transition attacking and defensive skills.
Jaylon Tyson – California
Age: 21 | Height: 6’5.5″ | Weight: 218 | Wingspan: 6’8″
Per Game Stats: 34.3 minutes, 19.6 points, 3.5 assists, 6.8 rebounds, 3.1 turnovers
Shooting Splits: 46.5 FG% 36.0 3P%, 79.6 FT%, 55.7 TS%
Jaylon Tyson is an interesting wing prospect who played one season at Texas, one season at Texas Tech, and this past season at Cal. He’s jumped around a bit but found a home as a leading offensive option for the Golden Bears, though his scoring and playmaking efficiency was subpar. He carried a 30% usage rate as a junior, a number that will certainly decrease at the NBA level. Tyson shot more efficiently in a smaller role in his sophomore season at Texas Tech, and his defense was better too. So, he’s capable of being a role player.
The experience of expanding his role should help him be a more versatile NBA player, and the Nuggets can always use versatility. Tyson’s defense and rebounding will help in all scenarios, as will his strength to guard multiple positions. He can post up smaller players on offense too, a unique trait for a shooting guard these days. The Nuggets have need for scoring creation, but it can’t come at the expense of defense on the wing. Perhaps Tyson offers the best of both. He’s a streaky shooter, but becoming more judicious with his shot selection could help in that area.
Kevin McCullar Jr. – Kansas
Age: 23 | Height: 6’5.3″ | Weight: 206 | Wingspan: 6’9″
Per Game Stats: 34.2 minutes, 18.3 points, 4.1 assists, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 turnovers
Shooting Splits: 45.4 FG% 33.3 3P%, 80.5 FT%, 56.7 TS%
Kevin McCullar is a five-year guard/wing who spent the first three years of his college career at Texas Tech (with Terrence Shannon actually). He transferred to Kansas after the Jayhawks (and Christian Braun) won the national championship in 2022. There, he flourished, ultimately growing into an impressive all-around wing after struggling with scoring usage and efficiency for the first four years. Where he mostly shines though is as a connector on both sides of the floor, a playmaker and defender that his team can trust to make great decisions. He’s a high IQ player, a strong cutter, and a versatile defender.
The Nuggets can of course make use of all of those traits, much in the same way that they used Bruce Brown. McCullar isn’t elite in any one category, and his shooting percentages will need some work. He appears ready to make an impact at the NBA level though, and perhaps most importantly, he’s a rookie Michael Malone would feel comfortable playing immediately.
Pelle Larsson – Arizona
Age: 23 | Height: 6’5.3″ | Weight: 212 | Wingspan: 6’7.8″
Per Game Stats: 30.1 minutes, 12.8 points, 3.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 turnovers
Shooting Splits: 51.9 FG% 42.6 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 62.2 TS%
Pelle Larsson went to Utah his freshman season before spending the last three seasons at Arizona, playing more and more every season and assuming a larger role. He will probably be an elite shooter at the NBA level, but the biggest question to me is how real his playmaking is. He was once an incredibly turnover prone playmaker, but playing under Sean Miller, he found his groove and made some impressive plays off the dribble. He’s probably closer to a 3&D player in the NBA, but there’s potential to be more than that in DHO situations on the wing.
For the Nuggets, Larsson probably doesn’t play immediately but could step in if there are injuries. Just seeing his growth year-over-year at the college level makes me interested in his development curve. If he’s a real secondary ball handler in the mold of an Austin Reaves or Desmond Bane, that archetype of player is extremely valuable if able to shoot. Larsson can really shoot it, and perhaps that’s only the first layer of his game.
