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Cole Anthony is a professional caliber scorer

November 10, 2020

The Nuggets currently hold the No. 22 pick in the NBA Draft. Over the next month, the DNVR Nuggets crew will examine who Denver may pick with that selection. Make sure to mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 18, the night of the draft, and DNVR Nuggets Draft Day LIVE streaming on Periscope and YouTube.

Who is Cole Anthony?

Cole Anthony is the type of point guard that gives Denver fits. He’s energetic, shifty, and can score from all 3 levels. He’s the little guard the Nuggets can’t seem to defend — cashing in from deep, beating the first line of defense, and knifing through the interior. Wouldn’t it be nice to see that player wearing the home jersey instead of working the home team?

NBA basketball is in Anthony’s blood. Greg, his father, played 11 seasons in the league after entering as the 12th overall pick in the 1991 Draft. You likely know him as a television analyst for NBA TV and Turner Sports.

Cole started as a freshman for North Carolina but only logged 22 games after surgery in 2019 for a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. He averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on just 38% from the field. The efficiency reflects both the room for growth in his shot selection and the situation around him. Cole played with two true bigs on the floor for much of the season, and at times was the only real threat from deep in the lineup. Still, it’s the biggest weakness in a scorer who will almost certainly get buckets at the next level.

Anthony took advantage of his gravity to create the occasional bucket for his teammates, but he shouldn’t be described as a floor general. He’s still learning how to make guys around him better as the lead guard. What should pop right away in the NBA, though, especially with improved shot selection, is his scoring. He’s a threat both on the ball and off as a shooter, has the handle/finishing skills to score around the rim, and does damage in transition.

The factors that might determine how quickly he cracks a rotation and how high his ceiling sits are his shot selection, development as a playmaker, and to what extent his size limits him on both ends of the floor. There’s a chance Anthony maxes out as an inefficient scoring punch off the bench, but he’s got the ceiling of a future starter.

Strengths

Shooting: catch-and-shoot, off the dribble, difficult shots
Handle: sets himself up as a scorer
Threat in Transition
High Motor

Weaknesses

Size / Defensive Range (good defender, just limited by size)
Shot Selection
Not yet a Playmaker
Injury History

How does Anthony fit with the Nuggets?

Offense:

The Nuggets should have all the firepower they need in the starting unit, although who comprises the second unit and provides the scoring punch off the bench remains unknown. Will Barton III seems the logical candidate given the likelihood that Michael Porter Jr. starts. Still, his health remains in doubt, with little information coming to light about a “knee soreness” that’s plagued him sinch March and kept him out of the playoffs.

There’s a chance Anthony will be cracking a rotation and finding the bottom of the net sooner rather than later. Efficiency is part of what will determine how impactful he’ll be, but there’s no question he has the foundation of a certified bucket getter. He’s a good enough shooter to play off-ball in spurts and isn’t an unwilling passer, even if it’s best to pair him with a true playmaker when you can.

If everyone’s healthy and no one is traded, there’s no room for him to play right now. But things change quickly in the NBA, and Denver’s guard situation could look a lot different by the end of next season.

Defense

Anthony is a high motor defender who doesn’t shy away from a challenge. He moves well laterally and stays engaged, whether on or off-ball. The problem is, much like Tyrese Maxey, he’s only 6’3″. Defensive versatility is highly valued at the next level, where mismatch hunting becomes an art form in the postseason. Even if Anthony develops into a plus defender, he’ll be a limited one.

To sum it up: Anthony wouldn’t be a seamless fit in Denver. But a deep guard class, injuries, and questions about efficiency could allow a very talented scorer to fall into the Nuggets’ lap. He’s worth deliberation should he still be on the board at 22.