Is Robert Woodard's shot for real? If so, he could be a 3-and-D steal

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 Robert Woodard?

Donovan Mitchell, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and LeBron James. The Nuggets had to battle all four of those dynamic scorers on their path to the Western Conference Finals. Over the next several seasons, Denver will likely face many more of those types, including Luka Doncic, James Harden, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Devin Booker in the regular season and playoffs. The West isn’t getting any easier.

Robert Woodard II is not the most hyped wing prospect in this year’s draft, but he could end up being one of the better defenders in the 2020 class. Woodard, 21, is a 235-pound, 6-foot-7 forward with a 7-1 wingspan who showed last season at Mississippi State that he has the ability to be the type of wing defender that teams search wide and far for every offseason.

Woodard’s currently projected as a late-first or early-second round pick.

Strengths

• Physically strong, high IQ team defender and willing rebounder. His long wingspan helps him get into passing lanes and cover ground.
• Explosive leaper who should be a good finisher at the rim.
• Wasn’t a strong three-point shooter when he entered college but hit on 43% of his threes last season. His jumper looks smooth from the mid-range too.
• High-effort player on both ends.

Weaknesses

• Scouts don’t seem to be sold on his shot. He’s also a poor free-throw shooter although he improved in his sophomore season. His shot isn’t broken by any means.
• Lacks the natural talent of players rated ahead of him. How high of a ceiling does he have?
• Isn’t the quickest mover from side-to-side. Could struggle if he gets switched out onto ultra-quick guards. His length can save him in those instances.

NBA Comparison: Jae Crowder, Dorian Finney-Smith

How does Woodard fit with the Nuggets?

Offense

The Nuggets have a defined three-man core heading into next season: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter. Jr. The goal for Denver going forward is to surround those players with the right pieces. A 3-and-D option like Woodard could be at the NBA level seems like a decent complimentary piece.

Whether or not Woodard can become a fixture in an NBA rotation may come down to if his three-point shot is for real. He shot 30-70 (43%) from three last season and is actually smoother than you’d expect when operating in the mid-range. He doesn’t have much shake or sizzle to his game right now and on talent alone he’s more of a fringe first-round to early second-round prospect. But the foundation of his offensive game seems like it’s fit for the next level.

Defense

Woodard’s a prospect who could eventually be able to defend top scoring wings. That’s a skill that will be invaluable as Denver navigates the turbulent Western Conference. At 235 pounds, Woodard also has an NBA body. He could rotate between the three and the four and his defensive upside would mesh nicely next to Michael Porter Jr. for the same reasons that Jerami Grant and Porter project to fit well next to one another. Woodard even has some strength and girth on Grant and should be a better rebounder.

With huge hands and strong instincts, coaches will fall in love with Woodard. He could initially provide the Nuggets with something similar to what Torrey Craig, who’s a free agent this offseason, gave over the last couple of years on the defensive end. Offensively, he could end up adding much more if his shooting from last season season translates.