Either MarJon Beauchamp’s agent is telling his client all the right things to say, or the 22-year-old out of Yakima, Washington has the exact right mindset entering the NBA.
“I think I could fit in with them by bringing my energy on the defensive side and just playing full-court basketball. I feel like my transition game is the best in the draft,” Beauchamp said when asked by DNVR following his pre-draft workout in Denver this week how he’d fit in next to Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. “I can knock down shots from the corner, because I know my shot’s better now. And just playing hard, learning from the vetsl learning from Jokic. Jokic’s passing is so good, and I feel like I’m one of the best cutters in the draft also.”
In that answer, Beauchamp checked off every box that Denver’s looking for when adding role players around its big 3 this offseason. Defense? Check. The ability and desire to run the floor? Check. 3-point shooting? Check. Does he play hard? Check. Cutting off the ball? Also, check.
When asked by DNVR what type of young player he wants to replicate during his first few years in the NBA, Beauchamp also gave an answer the Nuggets can get behind.
“A role like a Herb Jones.”
Check.
Beauchamp measured at 6-foot-6 1/2 with a 7-1 wingspan at the combine last month. He’s a high-level athlete that’s really fluid and moves well. Beauchamp has broad shoulders, a strong frame, plays with an always-running motor and looks the part, at least he did to me at Monday’s workout and on film. Even though Beauchamp’s a little older and will turn 22 by the time next season starts, his age could work in his favor. The Nuggets don’t need a project in the first round. Ideally, they need two-way role players who won’t be shrink on the NBA stage next season.
Defense
I think Beauchamp will enter the league as a good (not elite) defender but with the chance to eventually be a high-level defensive weapon. He’s probably going to be better off the ball than on it — I don’t think Beauchamp is the quickest laterally although he should be able to hang with most players that he finds himself guarding — and his length and motor are key reasons why.
Beauchamp is great at closing out to shooters. His plus length helps him get all the way out to the 3-point line to block this shot.
Check out Beauchamp’s motor on this play. He covers the entire width of the floor in three seconds.
Beauchamp’s length shines here. He shuts off the angle on his opponent’s drive, then yanks the ball free. He’s definitely going to be switchable on defense.
He has rim protection upside too. Just check out how high he jumps here. Beauchamp then runs his lane and scores. You can see why he’s such a great finisher on this play. Beauchamp goes to the basket hard and his athleticism and leaping ability put him in a great position around the rim.
Shooting
Beauchamp’s shot was the No. 1 reason why I was so interested in seeing him work out with Denver on Monday. First, 3-point shooting is the only aspect of the workout that the media actually gets to see. Second, because it’s one of his top question marks entering the draft. I came away impressed. Michael Malone apparently did too.
Beauchamp said Malone told him that his shot looked “beautiful” and the mechanical changes that he’s made to improve his jumper since the G League season ended were obvious. He shot just 27% from 3 for the G League Ignite last year.
Michael Malone watched MarJon Beauchamp closely as he went 14-25 from around the arc to close his workout with the Nuggets today. pic.twitter.com/qF1qN40F7k
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) June 20, 2022
Beauchamp has worked on increasing the arc on his jump shot. He’s also trying to not bring the ball down as much as he enters into his shooting motion. He was dipping the ball way more in the G League.
His mid-range jumper looks good too but is a tad slow. He could work to speed this up a bit.
Athleticism, transition, cutting
Watching Beauchamp’s G League film, it’s just clear that he moves like an NBA player. He’s smooth, has quick hips, can change direction well, and is a great athlete who’s a big-time leaper, as I’ve already touched on. He’s got really nice body control too.
This is an NBA-level attack off a shot-fake. I love how he finishes strong here after taking a little contact on the gather.
He has a good feel for the court too. You can just envision Beauchamp making this cut off of Jokic, Murray or Bones Hyland.
In the open floor, Beauchamp glides down the court. Here’s a steal and score that gives you a glimpse of his active hands defensively and also his open-court athleticism.
This was a perfectly timed pass on the break too. I don’t think Beauchamp is a selfish player at all. He could have pushed and tried for his own offense here but timed up his teammate Jaden Hardy’s cut.
There are definitely weaknesses to Beauchamp’s game. He was a wildly inconsistent shooter last season and his shot needs definite improvement. Fortunately, it seems like he’s putting in the work and is on his way in that department. He needs to tighten his handle too and his passing isn’t too highly regarded. Currently, Beachamp is getting mocked anywhere from 26th to the early second round.
Still, he has tools that Denver should like. If the Nuggets, who currently hold picks 21 and 30 overall, believe in Beauchamp’s shot he should be a candidate to get drafted by Denver in the late-first round. It looks like he’s going to be a committed and reliable defender and is the exact type of body and athlete that can help start to change the Nuggets’ dynamic on the defensive end of the floor.
