DNVR Draft Day: Final Big boards, sleeper picks and Nuggets storylines to track

In an era defined by superstars joining forces and top-end talent migrating to the coasts, the Denver Nuggets are trying to win the old fashioned way. Not many organizations can stay patient with a draft-and-develop model in today’s NBA. Ownership gets anxious. Star players ask out. A front office misses on too many draft picks and eventually shreds its blueprint.

But the Nuggets have stayed the course, relying on the draft to build the core of their roster and then free agency and under-the-radar trades to round out their rotation. Picking at No. 22 overall Wednesday night, the Nuggets are in position to add another piece to an already talented roster.

Seven days ago, Denver was rumored to be interested in trading up into the top-10 of the draft. The Nuggets could have then flipped that pick to the Pelicans in a Jrue Holiday trade. But with Holiday heading to Milwaukee that chatter has quieted. From what I gather, Denver is confident that it will get a player it likes at 22. Earlier this week Connelly stated that the Nuggets will target the best player available.

“We won’t go need,” Connelly said. “We’ll go best player available.”

“We’re just trying to add another culture guy that can play a role.”

We’ll learn soon enough who the Nuggets have an affinity for in this year’s class. Here’s who the DNVR Nuggets crew has their eyes on at 22nd overall.

Storylines to Track

Trade winds are strong: If you tell me that by the end of Wednesday night that James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Victor Oladipo all get traded, I wouldn’t be surprised. With training camp just two weeks away, draft day is one of the last opportunities teams have to swing the deals they’ve been sitting for the last several months before players begin reporting to their home markets.

I don’t think it’s likely that Denver acquires any of the big-name players listed above, but that doesn’t mean the Nuggets will stay quiet. After missing out on Holiday, Denver is looking to improve its roster.

Stability or upside: Rookies will be up against an all-time learning curve this season. There’s no Summer League and no open gym during the offseason between the draft and training camp where rookies get their first reps in with their new team. Considering the Nuggets’ returning talent, it’s difficult to see whoever Denver selects in the first round playing that integral of a role.

“I think it will be very difficult for any young player to make a huge impact on our team next year,” Connelly said.

The microscopic runway between the draft and the start of the regular season on Dec. 22 has teams wondering whether they should prioritize stability or upside in the draft. If a team selects a more NBA-ready player, like Xavier Tillman for example, he might have a better chance at cracking a rotation and contributing next season instead of a project like RJ Hampton.

With Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee entering free agency two days after the draft, I wouldn’t be surprised if Denver targeted a frontcourt player. Washington’s Isaiah Stewart is both young at 18-years-old and has a more NBA-ready game than typical players his age.

Drafting for talent: The Nuggets haven’t shied away from talent in the last two drafts even if Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol both came with red flags. So who’s the former top prospect that could slide this year? Former five star recruit Cole Anthony would qualify. So would Washington wing Jaden McDaniels.

Projected top-10 pick Onyeka Okongwu reportedly has a foot injury that could cost him training camp and some of the regular season which could lead to him sliding. I don’t think the Nuggets would mind being another landing spot for that type of player in a third-straight draft.

Wind’s Tim Connelly Specials (Deep Sleepers)

1. Jay Scrubb

Scrubb is a former four star recruit who went the junior college rout due to academic issues. He’s a 6-foot-6 bucket-getter at heart who can score from all three levels and averaged 21.9 points per game last season for John A. Logan College. The rest of his game needs rounding out but the off-guard can flat out score.

2. Mason Jones

Jones didn’t play basketball until his senior year of high school but somehow now finds himself as a potential second-rounder. The 22-year-old took a post-graduate year at a prep school, trimmed his weight down from 265 pounds to 230, and then averaged 13.6 points per game for Arkansas. Last season, the 6-foot-5 guard upped his scoring to 22 points per game. Jones is a physical guard with a score-first mentality.

3. Cassius Stanley

As long as Stanley stays in the NBA, he’ll win a dunk contest one day. That’s how athletic the 6-foot-8 wing out of Duke is. He should be a terror in transition and his three-point shot looks legitimate, but the rest of Stanley’s game currently leaves a lot to be desired.  At just 19-years-old, the former four star recruit is intriguing. Stanley averaged 12.6 points and 4.9 rebounds last season.

4. Nate Hinton

If you’re searching for an ultra-unique prospect in the second round, look no further than Hinton. The 21-year-old is just 6-foot-5 but a menace on the glass. Hinton averaged 8.7 rebounds per game last season at Houston and had single game rebounding totals of 16, 15, 13, 12 (twice), 11 (twice), and 10 (four times). He’s the ultimate hustler and has a nose for the ball. Hinton was a career 39% three-point shooter in college too.

5. Justinian Jessup

Jessup is a Colorado kid who played four seasons at Boise State and can shoot the rubber off the ball. The lefty was a career 41% three-point shooter in college. If teams are looking to uncover the next Duncan Robinson, Jessup could be an attractive option to take a flier on in the late-second round or as an undrafted free agent.