Close Article Return to stream X

NBA • 10 months ago

2015 NBA Draft: 5 Perfect First-Round Fits For Denver Nuggets

+Read full article

Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports

5 Perfect First-Round Fits for Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are coming of an extremely disappointing season. They went through a coaching change and an incredibly difficult Western Conference schedule along their way to 52 losses, and rumors are circling around now that some of their core talents won't be with the team much longer unless they show improvements. The 2015 draft is a crucial moment for the Nuggets, and these five players are definitely worth looking at.

5. Mario Hezonja

5. Mario Hezonja

NUGGETSGM — Mario Hezonja is a Croatian phenom with the athleticism to contribute immediately as an NBA wing player. He's a strong finisher and excellent off ball player, something that could fit well within the fast-paced offense the Nuggets are looking to return to next year.

Mario Hezonja is a Croatian phenom with the athleticism to contribute immediately as an NBA wing player. He's a strong finisher and excellent off ball player, something that could fit well within the fast-paced offense the Nuggets are looking to return to next year.

4. Justise Winslow

4. Justise Winslow

This year's Nuggets offense was pretty straight forward: Ty Lawson creates a play for himself or a teammate, or the possession falls apart. That's not to say that the Nuggets were a one man team—they have several solid building pieces—but Lawson was the only true playmaker on the roster. Winslow is a player who can score for himself in multiple ways, and really keep the defense honest.

3. Sam Dekker

3. Sam Dekker

Dekker isn't expected to go this high by most experts, but the Nuggets have pulled him for workouts and they could use his floor spacing. He's an underrated athlete and could potentially be a contributor from the start. Dekker also showed that he has the composure and intensity to be an X-Factor in big games during his time at Wisconsin.

2. Devin Booker

2. Devin Booker

Devin Booker is one of the many Kentucky players in the draft, and just as the old cliche with Alabama football players goes, it's hard to tell just how good he is with the talent of the players surrounding him. But he has NBA level athleticism and has already developed a jump shot, which makes him a candidate for any team looking for a wing player.

1. Stanley Johnson

1. Stanley Johnson

He hasn't been mentioned as a target for the Nuggets as much as Winslow or Hezonja, but Stanley Johnson may just be the perfect fit. He has elite athleticism for a college player and is a capable finisher. He was one of the top defensive players in the nation this season and has a very high ceiling. This is a player with Scottie Pippen-type potential.

Teams in this article »
Denver Nuggets

Your Favorites

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 5 days ago

5 Players Who Won't Be Back With Denver Nuggets Next Season

Breaking News

As a non-playoff campaign comes to an end, here are five players who won't back with the Denver Nuggets next season.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 2 weeks ago

Emmanuel Mudiay Devastates Philadelphia 76ers With Buzzer-Beater

Nuggets’ Emmanuel Mudiay getting it done.
Sixers…are not. Again. pic.twitter.com/fccu9pymRw

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) March 24, 2016

The Philadelphia 76ers nearly cemented their fourth road win of the season on Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets. Philadelphia was up two points with just seconds remaining when rookie point guard Emmanuel Mudiay nailed a prayer shot from outside the arch as time expired to give the Nuggets a one-point victory. The 2015-16 NBA season can't end soon enough for the lowly 76ers, who are now 9-63.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 3 weeks ago

Nuggets' Jusuf Nurkic Stares Down LeBron James After Rejection

Jusuf Nurkic will block you and stare you down…even you, LeBronhttps://t.co/nkWHP1grlZ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 22, 2016

LeBron James was on the receiving end of Bosnian rookie Jusuf Nurkic's inner savagery on Monday night during Denver Nuggets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers. Late in the second quarter, Nurkic rejected James and gave him an epic death stare after he fell to the floor to the delight of LeBron haters worldwide.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 3 weeks ago

Nuggets Need To Focus On Developing Young Backcourt

Breaking News

The Nuggets need to focus on developing their young talent to finish out the season.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 4 weeks ago

Kenneth Faried Throws Down Monstrous Alley-oop On Miami Heat

Kenneth Faried is one of the hardest NBA players to figure out. He flashes All-Star caliber brilliance some games, and pulls disappearing acts during others. Against the Miami Heat on Monday night, Faried was back doing the type of stuff that earned him the 'Manimal' nickname, as evidenced by his finish on this epic alley-oop.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 2 months ago

Denver Nuggets Would Be Crazy To Trade Faried At Deadline

Breaking News

The Denver Nuggets may not be a contender, but they would be nuts to cash in Kenneth Faried at the trade deadline.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 2 months ago

Watch Nets' Joe Johnson Hit Buzzer Beater

Joe Johnson didn't get a lot of elevation as he let go of a potential game-winning shot, but it went in and the Brooklyn Nets got a win over the Denver Nuggets.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 2 months ago

Watch Kenneth Faried Deny Bradley Beal's Dunk

Bradley Beal thought he was going to posterize Kenneth Faried, but the "Manimal" had other ideas.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 3 months ago

Nikola Jokic Executes Epic Behind-The-Back Pass

The Denver Nuggets have become known for their stellar international scouting, particularly in Europe. Nikola Jokic is an uber-talented, 20-year-old big man from Serbia who you'll be hearing a lot about over the next few years if he continues to blossom at this rate. This epic behind-the-back pass from Denver's one-point loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last evening proves his versatility.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 3 months ago

Will Barton Pulls Off Epic 360 Layup

Will Barton doesn't make a ton of headlines playing out in Denver, but this 360 layup proves he's one of the most underrated players in the NBA right now.

Comment

0 Comments