After what Jamal Murray just did in Orlando, point guard is about the last place the Nuggets need to upgrade in this month’s draft.

Murray’s rise coupled with Monte Morris’ steady play as a backup gives Denver a backcourt tandem that only a handful of teams can rival. But this year’s draft process, the most prolonged in NBA history, could be wonky. It’s been months since teams were able to see live competition from prospects, and in-person evaluations have been limited.

Not to mention, the Nuggets could throw potential need right out the window with the No. 22 pick on Nov. 18. If an elite point guard somehow slipped to their range, the Nuggets aren’t above drafting talent and then sorting out the rest later. In fact, there’s an argument to be made that talent should be prioritized over fit if Denver stays at No. 22.

You can trust the Nuggets have done their homework on the draft’s point guards even if it’s not a glaring weakness. In a normal year, that’s part of the Nuggets’ front office ethos. But during a year that featured a four-month gap with nothing else to do but evaluate, the Nuggets didn’t waste the downtime.

Barring a trade, elite point guards like LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, Killian Hayes and R.J. Hampton aren’t going to be on the board when Denver picks. This isn’t a draft that’s known for its point guard depth, either.

If he somehow slips to them, North Carolina’s Cole Anthony is an intriguing, playmaking guard. Anthony (6-foot-3, 190) would be a bit redundant considering Murray’s scoring mentality, but he’d immediately inject points into Denver’s second unit. With a quick first-step and an aggressive attitude, Anthony is the type of player who’d impose his identity on whatever lineups he plays alongside.

Though there are more pressing issues elsewhere on the roster, Anthony’s talented enough to make Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly consider him. For all of Denver’s strengths last season, there weren’t many playmakers (outside of Nikola Jokic) on the roster. That was especially apparent in the “Bubble,” where injured small forward Will Barton was sorely missed.

If the Nuggets opt for a point guard, that player must be able to create.

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If not Anthony, there are a few other compelling options to stock Denver’s point guard depth that should be within range.

One is Jahmi’us Ramsey out of Texas Tech. The freshman combo guard is still raw, but his physical tools and offensive burst give him a significant upside. Ramsey shot 42% from 3-point range last season as part of a strong scoring-rebounding package. His frame (6-foot-4, 195) and agility suggest he can become a plus-defensive presence. Ramsey, if able to find a path to playing time next season, would represent a significant athletic jolt – the kind the Nuggets lost in trading Malik Beasley to Minnesota last season.

Another option at guard is Malachi Flynn, a 6-foot-1 junior from San Diego State.  Flynn, whose stock has risen over recent weeks, has a keen basketball IQ and a strong perimeter game. The Nuggets are a fan of Flynn’s style. Even though he’s undersized, Flynn makes up for it with his gamesmanship and offensive poise. Flynn averaged 17.6 points and 5.1 assists per game while running a top-10 team. His work ethic would immediately square with that of Denver’s culture, and there’s perhaps nothing more valuable to the Nuggets than a player’s impact on winning. Flynn checks quite a few boxes.

There are other options like Kira Lewis Jr. (Alabama) or Theo Maledon (France) the Nuggets could consider, however both could easily be off the board when Denver’s pick arrives. If they go the point guard route, expect them to target playmaking as a specific trait. The Nuggets could use an infusion of creativity. Cornerstones Jokic and Murray can only do so much.

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