The Denver Nuggets 2023 Draft Big Board First Look

With the NBA lottery taking place, the buzz for the draft is in the air. Despite the fact that the Nuggets are in the middle of a WCF run, I thought it would be fun to look at some prospects on their radar while we wait for game 1 of the WCF to start. The Nuggets do not have a first-round pick in this draft, but they do have the 40th selection thanks to the Dallas Mavericks. With their implosion at the end of the season, after acquiring Kyrie Irving, the Nuggets were able to watch their second-round pick climb up the boards and allow them to snag an early second-round talent in a sneaky deep draft class.

I want to lay out some of the prospects the Nuggets may have on their big board with this pick, and discuss some of the factors going into why these players would be needed/a good fit. I like to put players in tiers instead of outright ranking them. I’ll start with an unrealistic/dream scenario tier with a few players with first-round grades that may slip into the early second. It may take a small trade up from 40, but a couple of these players that I’d imagine are on the Nuggets' radar may be gettable at 35 with the right move. The next tier is players that are projected to fall around 35–45 on most boards and one of them should be available at 40. The last tier is kind of a worst-case scenario where players may be available, but might not be who the Nuggets are looking for.

To start, let’s take a step back and look at what kind of player the Nuggets could be targeting. In Calvin Booth’s first year as GM, he made it very apparent the kind of players he wants surrounding Nikola Jokic, versatile defensive wings. Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, and Ishmael Kamagate were all drafted last year and fit that archetype. In free agency he brought in Bruce Brown and traded for KCP, both fit that mold as well. With this precedent set, we can expect that type of 3&D player to be drafted with this pick. He has delivered on the quote he gave soon after being appointed last summer.

One factor that may also be considered is Bruce Brown not returning next season. Bruce Brown is expected to decline his player option and explore free agency this summer. A rookie drafted in the second round won’t likely replicate his production, but a player that is similar to his style may be a priority in a potential selection.

Besides getting another wing, one of the holes on the Nuggets' second unit, especially if Bruce Brown doesn’t return, is a primary offense force to rely on. Jamal Murray deserves to have some nights off from staggering with the second unit and having someone who can fill that void would be great. Collin Gillespie may be able to do that, but having some competition at that position wouldn’t hurt. This is where the departure of Bones Hyland hurts. He was young and had his flaws, but he could have developed into something in that vein. (*whispers* Peyton Watson has shown flashes of self-creation and playmaking ability while applying rim pressure. Developing these skills and being a secondary ball handler for the second unit is something I can see him evolving into.) The Nuggets may be more comfortable finding a veteran to fill the backup PG role while the Nuggets window is open. Having someone more reliable than a rookie is probably ideal.

So in summary here is what I am prioritizing.

I summarized some of the strengths and weaknesses of each prospect using the phrases in the Key below. (I’m not fancy like the Ringer, this is the best short summary I can do for each skill set.)

Key: + = the more the better they are at a skill | — = the worse they are at a skill | ~ = close but needs improvement |3&D = Two way defenders who can stretch the floor | Rim = Rim protection | Shot = Jump shot/Pull up game | Drive = Rim pressure/isolation scoring | POA = Point of attack |

I’ll temper expectations out of the gate. There is a 5% chance of any of these happening, but there’s always a chance.

Bilal Coulibaly | Wing | Metropolitans 92 | Defense++ Drive+ Shot-

Dariq Whitehead | G/Wing | Duke | 3&D++ Shot++ POA+ Playmaking-

Kris Murray | Forward | Iowa | 3&D+ POA+ Shot+ Playmaking -

Sidy Cissoko | Wing | G League Ignite | Defense+ Shot- Playmaking+

Rayan Rupert | Wing | NZ Breakers | Defense++ POA++ Shot- Playmaking-

Jaime Jaquez | Wing | ULCA | Iso scoring+ Playmaking+ Shot+ Drive+

The players in this tier are much more realistic. In most big boards and mock drafts, you will see these players very close to our pick. I just can’t quit with these tiers and lists so I have further divided this section into plan A and Plan B.

Don’t be surprised to see Calvin draft an older prospect that’s a junior/senior. Christian Braun last year was a 4 year senior from Kansas and his experience allowed him to transition to the NBA quickly. Some of these players may not have as high of a ceiling, but their floor is high enough to contribute right away to the Nuggets title window.
You’ll probably read through this section of prospects and ask “Is this a Buffalo Wild Wings or an NBA draft article?” And to that I say… I don’t know.

Plan A:

Terrence Shannon Jr. | Wing | Illinois |Athleticism++ Drive+ Shot~ Defense+

Maxwell Lewis | Wing | Pepperdine | Shot+ Defense+

Andre Jackson Jr | Wing | UCONN | Defense+ Athleticism+ Shot- POA~

Julian Strawther | Wing | Gonzaga | Shot++ Defense~ POA-

Ricky Council IV | SG | Arkansas | Athleticism++ Drive+ Playmaking- Defense~ Shot~

Marcus Sasser | Combo | Houston | Drive+ Defense+ POA+ Playmaking~ Shot++

Plan B:

Jalen Wilson | Wing/F | Kansas | Champion Drive+ Shot~ Athleticism- POA-

Keynotae Johnson | G/Wing | KSU | Defense~ Shot+ Drive+ Playmaking-

Julian Phillips | F | Tennessee | Defense+ Shot-

Kevin McCullar | Wing | Virginia | Defense+ Shot-

With the amount of wings in this draft, there is little chance one doesn’t fall to the Nuggets, but the draft can play out in strange ways and can leave the Nuggets in a weird spot. Here are some of those less ideal options that might be there at 40. Most of these due to poor fit, being too much of a project to contribute right away, or not a positional need.

Reece Beekman | G | Virginia | 3&D+ Playmaking-

Jordan Walsh | Wing | Arkansas | Athleticism+ Defense+ Shot- Playmaking-

Jordan Miller | Wing | Miami | Defense+ POA+ Shot- Playmaking~

Judah Mintz | G | Syracuse | Drive+ Playmaking

DaRon Holmes II | C | Dayton

Zach Edey | C | Purdue

Nikola Durisic | PF | KK Mega Basket

The Nuggets (and fans) have some other priorities right now. I guess we are in our 5th WCF appearance and have home court for the first time in such a circumstance so I guess that is a big deal. As we get deeper into the draft process I will put out an updated Nuggets big board (Hopefully after a title). This is my initial assessment and things can obviously change. What do you think of the tiers? Who should be higher or lower? Let me know on twitter @NbaChicken.

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