All four Denver Nuggets’ draft picks, Jamal Murray, Juan Hernangomez, Malik Beasley, and Petr Cornelie were in Denver Wednesday and introduced for the first time in front of the media.
It was a crowded stage compared to last year when only No. 7 overall pick Emmanuel Mudiay was in attendance for the introductory presser, yet the sentiment that was shared from Mudiay last June and the four draft picks this year was relatively the same.
“We’re all really excited, really anxious to get on the court and prove what we’ve got,” Murray said. “We’re just really happy to be here were with a great organization that has trust in all of us and believes in our capabilities. So just looking forward to the future.”
Murray, who on draft night said he’s “a point guard in a 2-guard’s body,” but later reiterated that he’s open to playing both backcourt positions, isn’t ready to hand the starting point guard to incumbent Emmanuel Mudiay quite yet.
“We haven’t gotten on the court yet. It’s a toss up,” said Murray on if he’s ready to concede the job to Mudiay. “Whatever coach needs, but I’m available to play the one or the two.”
Murray will likely come off the bench to start the season and could be dynamic in a sixth man role. He’s versatile enough to see minutes alongside Jameer Nelson with Denver’s second unit, run the point for the Nuggets’ backups, and will play alongside Mudiay and even Gary Harris at times next season.
It was well publicized how bad the Nuggets were shooting the three last year, and Murray who shot 40.8 percent from 3-point range at Kentucky during his freshman season should provide immediately help. That need for an outside threat may have also attracted the Nuggets towards Beasley, a 38.7 percent shooter from three, who they took with the No. 19 pick.
“We both bring shooting ability to the franchise and great character,” Beasley said of Murray and himself. “We know what we have to do. We know it’s business time and we’re going to work together, compete against each other and the other guys too. We’re all going to work together to make this program better.”
Denver’s two international draft picks, Hernangomez and Cornelie, didn’t say much today, but it was apparent they are excited to be here. Both mentioned how they already love the city and organization.
Hernangomez will be at Summer League, which tips off July 8, while Cornelie’s status for Las Vegas is still up in the air. The Nuggets will release an official roster in the coming days that will include Murray, Hernangomez, Jimmer Fredette, Ondrej Balvin, Josh Scott, Josh Adams, Antwan Scott and a few more NBA hopefuls. Mudiay and Nikola Jokic are possibilities as well.
