19. Denver Nuggets (via Trail Blazers): Taurean Prince, Baylor Bears
Position: Small Forward
Age: 21 (8/22/1994)
Height & Weight: 6’7.5″, 215 pounds, 6’11”
Slash Line: .432/.361/.774
Season Averages: 30.6 MPG, 15.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.6 3PM
Thus far, the Denver Nuggets have found an elite shooter with star potential, and an explosive athlete with the same as a defensive anchor. Having drafted two players for whom upside is key, the Nuggets go for a positional and stylistic need at No. 18.
Taurean Prince is generally slotted in the 22-to-30 range, but he’s an appropriate selection at No. 19 overall.
Prince has deep 3-point range, which continues the trend of selecting players who can space the floor in Michael Malone’s offense. The 21-year-old also has ideal physical gifts for a small forward at 6’8″ with a 6’11” wingspan.
The most important part of his value to the Nuggets, however, is his defensive versatility.
Prince has the size, build, athleticism, and defensive intensity to hold his own against players at shooting guard, small forward, and power forward. He could potentially be Malone’s Draymond Green—to a lesser extent, I know—as a player who can do a bit of everything on both ends.
He may not have the same ceiling as Green, but Prince is widely regarded as a safe pick with a solid NBA career ahead of him.
Next: Indiana Pacers