Which under-the-radar Nuggets player are you buying stock in for next season?

Adam Mares: Bol Bol?

There really aren’t any great answers to this question, in part because there aren’t a lot of players who qualify as being “under-the-radar.” I am skeptical that Bol Bol can become an impact player as early as next season, especially now that a large portion of his first offseason will take place under unique circumstances. This summer was going to be a big one for Bol. His first summer league, his first offseason working out with the Denver Nuggets coaching staff, his first offseason where his focus can be entirely on adding strength and conditioning.

All of that is gone now. What remains is the raw talent that made Bol one of the top prospects in the world just 12 months ago. A 7’2 frame, a silky jump shot, a surprising handle and the coordination of a player that is 6 inches shorter.  Those talents will be useful the moment Bol is able to figure out the NBA game and meet the expectations of the coaching staff.

Then there is the question of what the roster might look like. A huge reduction in the league’s salary cap might create a bunch of curveballs to Denver’s roster construction going forward. It can be assumed that at least one of Mason Plumlee or Paul Millsap would not return next season. The plans to re-sign Jerami Grant are still intact but he will be a popular free agent this summer. Have those plans changed now that the league is in flux? There is at least a scenario in which the Nuggets need Bol to play at least some minutes next season?