Miss Juancho Hernangomez and Malik Beasley? Yeah, we do too.
If it’s any comfort, the two of them are flourishing in their newfound roles since being traded to Minnesota, with Beasley (21.1 ppg) and Juancho (14.0 ppg) both averaging double-digit points per game.
Not enough to ease your pain? Well, there’s always that first-round draft pick to snuggle up to.
The Nuggets received the pick, which originally belonged to Houston, as part of a deal that also brought back Keita Bates-Diop, Noah Vonleh, Shabazz Napier and Gerald Green.
With Bates-Diop and Vonleh stuck on the bench, Napier traded again (for a guy the Nuggets have already bought out) and Green also gone, it appears that pick is the only thing Nuggets fans have left to fill the void left behind by Malik and Juancho.
If the Nuggets play their cards right, that pick could turn into someone like… Malik Beasley or Juancho Hernangomez. Wouldn’t that be nice?
If the season ended today, the pick would be the 23rd of the first round of the 2020 NBA draft. With March Madness now at hand, here’s what the internet’s NBA draftniks have the Nuggets doing (Note: Pick order varies by publication):
SI.com | Jeremy Woo | Updated Feb. 12
22. Patrick Williams, PF, Florida State
Height: 6-8 | Age: 18
Woo writes: “If Williams decides to turn pro, he would be a strong fit next to Nikola Jokic, with legitimate defensive switchability, good instincts, and a viable dribble-pass-shoot skill set. He won’t turn 19 until August, and has started to turn a corner in February, handing in some better minutes on a deep Florida State team.” See Woo’s full mock draft.
SportingNews.com | Chris Stone | Updated Feb. 13
24. Josh Green, Wing, Arizona
Height: 6-6 | Age: 19
Stone writes: “Effort, athleticism and defensive potential are the selling points with Green. Denver would be betting on him finding a way to be useful in a halfcourt offensive setting, however. So far, he’s struggled to make an impact there, as his shooting limitations have made him a bit of a liability.” See Stone’s full mock draft (subscription).
ESPN.com | Jonathan Givony | Updated Feb. 16
24. Leandro Bolmaro, SG, Barcelona
Height: 6-7 | Age: 19
Givony didn’t expound on what makes Bolmaro desirable for the Nuggets at No. 24, but his ESPN colleague Mike Schmitz had this to say in a December article: “A well-rounded athlete with a tireless motor and a flair inspired by fellow Argentinian Manu Ginobili, Bolmaro offers real versatility. He can play off of others as a slashing, cutting wing or function as a big point guard.” See Givony’s full mock draft.
TheAthletic.com | Sam Vecenie | Updated Feb. 13
24. Precious Achiuwa, F/C, Memphis
Height: 6-9 | Age: 20
Vecenie writes: “Achiuwa is a remarkable athlete at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and the standing reach of a legitimate center prospect. … I think that Achiuwa’s best position long-term is going to be at the center spot. Denver seems like one of the few spots where he could reasonably play both the 4 and the 5, though. With Jokic in the middle and Porter with size at the 4, Denver could play interestingly flexible lineups that would potentially cause problems for opponents.” See Vecenie’s full mock draft (subscription).
— Matt Schubert, The Denver Post
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What’s on tap?
Thursday: At Charlotte Hornets, 5 p.m., ALT
Saturday: At Cleveland Cavaliers, 5:30 p.m., ALT
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Must-Read
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Quick Hits
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Could Gary Harris lose his starting spot if shooting struggles continue?
+ Jamal Murray takes to Twitter after Denver’s 10th loss to sub-.500 team.
+ Warriors coach Steve Kerr on Nuggets’ rise: You have to “take lumps” to become elite.
+ Kiszla vs. Singer: Why are the Nuggets treating Michael Porter Jr. like a garbage-time player?
+ Kickin’ It with Kiz: Nuggets need to overhaul their starting lineup, starting with Michael Porter Jr.
+ Kiszla: With Kawhi Leonard all about that load management, it’s time to cut the fat jokes about Nikola Jokic.
+ Michigan State’s Tom Izzo: Missing on Nuggets’ Monte Morris was “one of the all-time great mistakes.”
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here.
By The Numbers
10%
Dish Network spokesman Bob Toevs said that less than 10% of the provider’s customer base watched Altitude when it carried the regional sports network. Read more…
Parting Shot
Kobe Bryant (24) of the Los Angeles Lakers looks for a lane around Will Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets during the second half at the Pepsi Center, Dec. 22, 2015 in Denver, Colo.
Nuggets’ Will Barton remembers his favorite player, Kobe Bryant: “It’s hard to process”
Back in Los Angeles for the first time since Kobe Bryant died, Will Barton reflected on the moment he found out his favorite player had died and how he’s dealt with the news over the past month. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at [email protected] or tweet me @MattDSchubert.
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