There's a lot to like about Saddiq Bey and his fit with the Nuggets

The Nuggets currently hold the No. 22 pick in the NBA Draft and the DNVR Nuggets crew is examining who Denver could 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 Saddiq Bey?

When you poll NBA front office executives and scouts about this draft, there’s a typical refrain that you hear. While this class probably won’t yield many All-Stars, it includes a healthy amount of future role players. If you’re a contender like the Nuggets who’s picking in the 20’s, that’s music to your ears.

Saddiq Bey projects as one of those quality role players that playoff teams will be looking to scoop up in the first round. Bey, 21, is a 6-foot-8, 216-pound small forward out of Villanova who’s known for his defense and three-point shooting. Bey shot a blistering 45% from three on 5.6 attempts per game during his sophomore season and one NBA skills trainer told DNVR that he believes Bey is the best shooter projected to go in the first round. He’s currently being mocked as a mid-first round selection.

Strengths

• Shooting: Consistent and confident spot-up shooter. Can shoot off the dribble and screens as well.
• Defense: Great size, instincts and intensity as an individual and team defender. High IQ off-ball defender as well.
• Team-first offensive player who passes up good shots for great ones. Cuts well off the ball and doesn’t force the issue.
• Not an elite athlete but he’s great at using his body/strength. Likes to take advantage of smaller defenders in the post.

Weaknesses

• Athleticism: Great at playing his role but you worry about his ceiling. Not very explosive and lacks a quick first step.
• Doesn’t have a ton of individual creation ability off the bounce.
• While he’s a good shooter, his release is a bit awkward. Shoots the ball out in front of his body.

NBA Comparison: Tobias Harris/PJ Tucker

How does Bey fit with the Nuggets?

Offense

There’s a lot to love about Bey’s potential fit with the Nuggets. He’s a high IQ offensive player who plays within himself and takes what the defense gives him. If Bey’s open from beyond the arc, he’ll let it fly with confidence. If he has a smaller guard defending him, Bey will take his matchup down low and out-muscle his man on the block. When he’s playing off the ball, Bey will look to make a smart cut to free himself or a teammate for an open shot or layup. His skill-set would translate well into the Nuggets’ altruistic offensive system.

In Bey, Denver would add a three-point marksman and a smart, instinctual offensive player who could play both the three and four. Bey’s also a bit of a unique prospect. He was a late-bloomer who stood just 6-foot-1 as a high school sophomore and has improved rapidly over the last few seasons. Last year, he started to flash some ability as a creator off the dribble although that won’t be his primary role in the NBA.

Bey’s somewhat of a point forward who sees the floor well and is a fine passer. Personally, I love his old-man game and how it always looks like he’s playing under control. Bey will be dominating at the local YMCA well after his playing days are over. He’s the floor-stretching combo forward that teams covet.

Defense

Bey’s size and strength is a real skill that will likely help him get on the floor rather quickly next season. At the NBA level, Bey should be able to guard big, physical wings but also fours and even some fives. I’m not saying Bey’s the second coming of PJ Tucker, who manned the center position for the miniature Rockets this season, but he could be something similar.

Michael Malone would love Bey. He takes pride in his defense but doesn’t gamble and is also capable of forcing turnovers on the ball and by getting in passing lanes. Bey’s not an elite NBA athlete and he might not be able to guard the quickest lead ball handlers. However, he’s smart and crafty enough to be an impact defender against various types of matchups. Bey would give the Nuggets more defensive toughness with his workmanlike approach.