The chances that the Denver Nuggets select and keep three players from the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft are highly unrealistic. The chances of a trade to acquire a proven NBA veteran or a swap of draft picks with another team seems much more likely.
Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram will go one and two, respectively, in the upcoming draft. I also think the Boston Celtics hold on to the No. 3 pick and select PF Dragan Bender. There just seems to be too much upside with Bender, and I believe they learned a thing from their division rival New York Knicks last season with Kristaps Porzingis.
This is where Denver may or may not step into the picture. After those three players, the Nuggets need to lock in on “their guy,” and go get him. The advantage that Denver has is that they can offer at least three picks to move up if they want or need to. That means Denver will choose from PF Marquese Chriss from Washington, PG Kris Dunn from Providence, SG Jamal Murray from Kentucky or SF Jaylen Brown from California.
I see the Phoenix Suns taking Chriss at the No. 4 pick. At that time, I think the Nuggets trade the No. 7 pick along with the No. 19 pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves and select Murray.
The more I look into Murray the more I think he is versatile enough at the guard position to fit in well for the Nuggets. Murray can provide the scoring Denver needs and also hold down the point if asked to spell Emmanuel Mudiay.
Doing this will allow Denver to secure more depth at the guard position. The reason I think the Nuggets will trade up in order to select Murray is the fact that most mock drafts have had Murray taken as early as No. 3. Also, Denver knows it does not currently have the roster space to draft and expect production from three players. Minnesota could use the extra pick in the first-round in order to provide much needed depth to a very strong young nucleus.
At the No. 15 pick, I think the Nuggets go for an energy guy. I think the selection will be PF Deyonta Davis from Michigan St. Davis would be a good fit for the defensive-minded Michael Malone. Davis has a strong ability to rebound the basketball and provides good shot blocking. Davis also has an improving jump shot form the perimeter.
This is just one of the many different scenarios that I see having the possibility of playing out tomorrow night. Denver has the opportunity to do many different things given the amount of ammunition that they have in the upcoming draft.
I do not care if I get it right, just as long as the Nuggets get it right.
For more NBA Draft discussion, listen below as editor-in-chief of MileHighSports.com and Sean Walsh discuss wha the Denver Nuggets need to do on the Wednesday edition of the Weekend Drive Podcast …
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