Will the Nuggets bolster their backcourt at No. 26? There's plenty of options

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that most mock drafts are predicting that the Nuggets use their No. 26 overall pick Thursday night on a guard. Jamal Murray is going to be sidelined for the first chunk of next season. Will Barton is a free agent and it’s not 100% guaranteed that he returns to Denver. Behind presumptive opening night starter Monte Morris, backup Facu Campazzo and South Carolina (Swiss) Army Knife PJ Dozier, Markus Howard is the only other Nuggets guard under contract for the 2021-22 season.

So Denver picking up a guard at No. 26 seems like it would be a prudent decision. To me, it feels like the most likely outcome on draft night. If the Nuggets go that rout they’d certainly have plenty of options to chose from.

The back-end of the first round looks like it will be guard-heavy. If you like scoring, Cam Thomas poured in 23 points per game as a freshman for LSU last season. If you’re targeting defense, Miles “Deuce” McBride is the type of in-your-face, aggressive defender that coaches will quickly fall in love with. Want a two-way guard who’s going to contribute on both ends of the floor? Check out Tennessee’s Jaden Springer. He shot 43% from distance last year and is one of the better on-ball defenders in this class.

If Denver goes guard, you get the feeling that someone the Nuggets really like will still be available at 26. That’s certainly the sense I’ve been getting in the lead-up to the draft. Much like last season, I believe the Nuggets feel comfortable at their draft slot and a trade-up on draft night would come as somewhat of a surprise to me. Of course, you can’t rule out anything, but my read is that Denver thinks it has a good feel for the board and how it may fall. That approach worked for the Nuggets last year when they stayed put and then traded back into the first round to grab Zeke Nnaji and RJ Hampton.

Here’s how the DNVR Nuggets crew ranks the available guards in the draft.

1. Cade Cunningham | OK State | Fresh. | 19-years-old | 6-8, 7-1 wingspan

20.1 pts (43.8 FG%, 40 3P%, 846 FT%), 6.2 rebs, 3.5 asts in 35.4 min

NBA Comparison: Luka Doncic

Strengths: Elite shot creator for himself and teammates, tremendous finisher

Weaknesses: Good but not great athlete, a bit turnover prone

The skinny: Cunningham’s the best player in the draft and it’s crazy if Detroit even thinks about taking anyone else at No. 1 or trading down. He’s a future All-Star and All-NBA player in my book. Dear, Troy Weaver. Don’t pull a Vlade.

2. Jalen Green | G League Ignite | 19-years-old | 6-5, 6-8 wingspan

17.9 pts (46.1 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 82.9 FT%), 4.1 rebs, 2.8 asts, 1.5 stls in 32 min

NBA Comparison: Zach LaVine

Strengths: A+ athlete, projects as a high-level shooter and shot creator

Weaknesses: Has a ways to go defensively, poor decision-maker at times

The skinny: The fact that Jalen Green averaged 18 points per game in the G League as a 19-year-old shouldn’t be brushed over. That’s a grown man’s league, I say in my best Mark Jackson voice. You know when a prospect just has that look and feel of a big-time NBA player and scorer? Yeah, Green’s got that.

3. Jalen Suggs | Gonzaga | Fresh. | 20-years-old | 6-4, 6-6 wingspan

14.4 pts (50.3 FG%, 33.7 3P%, 75.4 FT%), 5.3 rebs, 4.5 asts, 1.9 stls in 28.9 min

NBA Comparison: Chauncey Billups

Strengths: Fearless, explosive athlete, a classic point guard who creates and runs his team

Weaknesses: What kind of shooter will he be? A bit of a gambler defensively

The skinny: Suggs is the type of player you want to go to war with and a foxhole guy through and through. He’s a s competitive as they come, a winner, hates to lose and leads his team like any point guard should. It’s tough to see that not translating to winning basketball at the next level unless he somehow winds up in Cleveland.

4. Davion Mitchell | Baylor | Senior | 22-years-old | 6-1, 6-4 wingspan

14 pts (51.1 FG%, 44.7 3P%, 64.1 FT%), 2.7 rebs, 5.5 asts, 1.9 stls in 33 mins

NBA Comparison: Lou Dort

Strengths: Tenacious on-ball defender, versatile offensive game

Weaknesses: Can be too aggressive, will his shot translate?

The skinny: Mitchell improved his draft stock maybe more than anyone this year leading Baylor to a national championship. He’s a powerful athlete who’s an absolute gamer. Apparently he’s not Donovan Mitchell’s brother, which I’m stunned by.

5. Josh Giddey | Adelaide (Australia) | 18-years-old | 6-8, 6-8 wingspan

10.9 pts (42.7 FG%, 29.3 3P%, 69.1 FT%), 7.4 rebs, 7.5 asts, 1.1 stls in 32.1 mins

NBA Comparison: Lonzo Ball

Strengths: Elite level passer with a great feel for the game, strong finisher around the rim

Weaknesses: Jump shot is still developing, needs to get better defensively

The skinny: An elite feel for the game is something that almost seems like a requirement for NBA point guards in this era, and Giddey has that at just 18-years-old. Plus, he’s 6-8. If his shot develops he’ll be an above average starter in the NBA. The only question will be if his game catches up to his flow. Giddey already has some of the best hair in the NBA.

6. Jared Butler | Baylor | Junior | 20-years-old | 6-3, 6-4 wingspan

16.7 pts (47.1 FG%, 41.6 3P%, 78 FT%), 3.3 rebs, 4.8 asts, 2 stls in 30.3 mins

NBA Comparison: Fred VanVleet

Strengths: Great on ball defender, one of the best 3-point shooters in this class

Weaknesses: Below the rim player, not a ton of athleticism

The skinny: Butler was diagnosed with a heart condition when he first got to Alabama back in 2018. He then transferred to Baylor where he was cleared to play. He’s a two-way force with one of the best jump shots in this draft class.

7. Chris Duarte | Oregon | Super Senior | 24-years-old | 6-6, 6-8 wingspan

17.1 pts (53.2 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 81 FT%), 4.6 rebs, 2.7 asts, 1.9 stls

NBA Comparison: Danny Green

Strengths: Elite shooter, instant contributor who’s ready to play right now

Weaknesses: Limited upside at his age, poor passer and not a playmaker at all

The skinny: If Duarte was 21 or 22 he’d probably be a lottery pick, and even at 24-years-old he still could get selected in the teens. He’s an elite shooter who — no surprise — is one of the more ready NBA prospects in the draft. With Duarte, you’re pretty getting an immediate impact role player. He’ll be in high demand by playoff teams on draft night.

The DNVR Nuggets crew breaks down Chris Duarte’s NBA-ready game here.

8. Jaden Springer | Tennessee | Fresh. | 18-years-old | 6-4, 6-8 wingspan

12.5 pts (46.7 FG%, 43.5 3P%, 81 FT%), 3.5 rebs, 2.9 asts, 1.2 stls in 25.9 mins

NBA Comparison: Gary Harris

Strengths: High level on-ball defender, great feel for the game

Weaknesses: Questionable shot, plays exclusively off two feet

The skinny: My favorite thing about Springer is how smart he plays, and it’s one of the reasons why I see a lot of Kyle Lowry in his game. He knows his strengths and his weaknesses. He seeks out contact and draws a ton of fouls for a guard his size. If Springer’s shot translates he’s going to be pristine 3-and-D guard at the NBA level.

Would Jaden Springer be a good fit in Denver? The DNVR Nuggets crew discusses here.

9. Miles McBride | West Virginia | Soph. | 20-years-old | 6-2, 6-9 wingspan

15.9 pts (43.1 FG%, 41.4 3P%, 81.3 FT%), 3.9 rebs, 4.8 asts, 19 stls in 34.2 mins

NBA Comparison: Jrue Holiday

Strengths: In-your-face defender who isn’t afraid of anyone, versatile offensive player

Weaknesses: Didn’t get the rim a ton in college, smaller frame at 6-2

The skinny: The Nuggets missed out on trading for Jrue Holiday last season, so why not get a guard who reminds many scouts an awful lot of Holiday in the first round. McBride loves to defend and will also enter the NBA with one certain offensive skill: a go-to step-back jumper that he should be able to get off against NBA defenses. If McBride was a couple inches taller he’d probably be a surefire lottery pick.

The DNVR Nuggets crew debates if Deuce McBride would be a good fit in Denver here.

10. Cam Thomas | LSU | Fresh. | 19-years-old | 6-4

23 pts (40.6 FG%, 32.5 3P%, 88.2 FT%), 3.4 rebs, 1.4 asts, 0.9 stls in 34 mins

NBA Comparison: Terrence Ross

Strengths: Walking bucket, microwave scorer and good finisher

Weaknesses: Rarely locks in defensively, a ball-stopper at times

The skinny: Right now Thomas can score the ball, but that’s about it. If you’re buying him you think that in two or three years he’ll have other NBA skills that emerge. Can he fit on a team that doesn’t exactly need him to be looking for his shot every time down the floor? That’s the question that NBA GM’s have to ask themselves.

How would Cam Thomas fit with the Nuggets? The DNVR Nuggets crew discuss here.’

11. Josh Primo | Alabama | Fresh. | 18-years-old | 6-5, 6-9 wingspan

8.1 pts (43.1 FG%, 38.1 3P%, 75 FT%), 4.3 rebs, 0.9 asts, 0.6 stls in 22.5 mins

NBA Comparison: Caris LaVert

Strengths: Versatile offensive profile with a ton of tools, NBA offensive profile

Weaknesses: Not a great athlete who’s a bit ground-bound, inconsistent and unpolished

Primo is a popular player that’s been often mocked to Denver and there’s part of me that could see it happening. Denver had him in town for a pre-draft workout and he fits the young prospect with high upside mold that Tim Connelly just targeted in the 2020 draft in RJ Hampton. That being said, Primo isn’t just young. He’s really young. He’s the youngest player in the draft, and I wonder if Denver wants someone who has a ton of upside like Primo does but is just a little more ready to play right now. That being said, he’s very intriguing.

Would Josh Primo be a classic Tim Connelly draft pick? The DNVR Nuggets crew breaks down his game here.

12. Tre Mann | Florida | Soph. | 20-years-old | 6-4, 6-4 wingspan

16 pts (45.9 FG%, 40.2 3P%, 83.1 FT%), 5.6 rebs, 3.5 asts, 1.4 asts in 32.4 mins

NBA Comparison: D’Angelo Russell

Strengths: Classic point guard who knows how to play in the pick-and-roll, great shooter

Weaknesses: Lacks an elite first step, bad at containing dribble penetration

The skinny: The NBA is all about jump shooting. If you don’t have a shot, it’s tough to survive unless you do a lot of other things extremely well. When it comes to Mann, his jumper is maybe his most translatable skill. He’s a lethal three-point shooter and knows how to play in the pick-and-roll. Mann’s also a late-bloomer who improved a ton at Florida. He might still be growing too.

13. Ayo Dosunmu | Illinois | Junior | 21-years-old | 6-4, 6-10 wingspan

20.1 pts (48.8 FG%, 39 3P%, 78.3 FT%), 6.3 rebs, 5.3 asts, 1.1 stls in 35.1 mins

NBA Comparison: Elfrid Payton

Strengths: Will enter the league with a great handle and vision, can play either guard spot

Weaknesses: Questions about his shot and finishing ability inside

The skinny: For Dosunmu, it probably comes down to his jumper. Is he the guy who shot 39% from three last season at Illinois or the guy who only hit 30% of his triples the year before. Scouts are torn. But he’s one of the more NBA-ready guards in the back half of the first round that’s available. That aspect of Dosunmu’s makeup will be valuable to teams on draft night.

14. Nah’shon Hyland | VCU | Soph. | 20-years-old | 6-2, 6-9 wingspan

19.5 pts (44.7 FG%, 37.1 3P%, 86.2 FT%), 4.7 rebs, 2.1 asts, 1.9 stls in 31.9 mins

NBA Comparison: Jamal Crawford

Strengths: Has Steph Curry and Damian Lillard range on his jumper, always in attack mode

Weaknesses: Gets tunnel vision a lot, was not a good defender in college

The skinny: You won’t find a better story in the first round than “Bones” Hyland. He had a difficult upbringing in Delaware. Following his junior season, Hyland was sleeping in his grandmother’s house when it caught on fire. Hyland had to jump from a 20-foot high window to survive and tore his patellar tendon in his right knee in the fall. His grandmother and cousin passed away in the fire. Hyland says his past motivates him to this day, and you can see that translate to how he plays the game. He’s always in attack mode and a threat the second he crosses half-court. He wasn’t a good defender in college but I’m betting on Bones.

Listen to the DNVR Nuggets crew breaks down Bones Hyland’s game here

15 (a). Sharife Cooper | Auburn | Fresh. | 20-years-old | 6-1

20.2 pts (39.1 FG%, 22.8 3P%, 82.5 FT%), 4.3 rebs, 8.1 asts, 1.0 stls in 33.1 mins

NBA Comparison: Ish Smith

Strengths: One of the best passers in the draft, very comfortable in the pick-and-roll

Weaknesses: Small frame at 6-1, non-shooter right now

The skinny: Cooper will enter the league as a really gifted passer with a great feel for the game. But I’m worried about his shot. Teams will go under every pick-and-roll that he runs and if his jumper doesn’t develop his upside is really limited. He’s also small at 6-foot-1 which scares me. Can he be an Ish Smith, Jalen Brunson hybrid? Maybe.

15 (b). Josh Christopher | Arizona St. | Fresh. | 19-years-old | 6-4, 6-9 wingspan

14.3 pts (43.2 FG%, 30.5 3P%, 80 FT%), 4.7 rebs, 1.4 asts, 1.5 stls in 29.7 mins

NBA Comparison: Nick Young

Strengths: Tough 1-on-1 shot-maker, high defensive upside

Weaknesses: What kind of shooter will he be? Poor decision-maker

The skinny: Just one year ago, Christopher was considered one of the top recruits in his class and a surefire one-and-done lottery pick. So what happened? He went to an Arizona State team that already had a bunch of on-ball creators and Christopher got a bit lost in the shuffle. He wasn’t to efficient on the offensive end either but his game is probably more tailor made for the pros. It’s easy to see him sticking as an instant-offense super sub off the bench.

Listen to the DNVR Nuggets crew discusses Josh Christopher here