Denver Nuggets: 2016 Offseason Grades

Draft Pick No. 1

With the seventh pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Nuggets added another combo guard to a young backcourt already featuring second-year point guard Emmanuel Mudiay and third-year shooting guard Gary Harris.

While the declarations that Jamal Murray should start alongside Mudiay at the 2-spot — over Harris — are vastly premature, this Kentucky product could be a great long-term fit in the backcourt for this developing team.

As a 40.8 percent shooter from three-point range in his lone season for the Wildcats, Murray brings a pivotal NBA skill — catch-and-shoot accuracy — to the table right away. The fact that he can also create and pass with the ball in his hands adds another dimension of versatility to his game.

As a top-5 prospect, getting Murray at No. 7 was a great stroke of luck for the Nuggets, even if some of his skills overlap with Harris, a highly underrated 3-and-D wing whose starting job should not even remotely come into question.

That being said, Murray had a solid NBA Summer League despite a rough first few games. Though he only shot 42.5 percent from the field and 27.6 percent from three-point range, he still averaged 19.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in five appearances. Over his last three games, he put up 26.0 points per game on 30-of-64 shooting.

Murray was a bit more selfish than expected in Summer League, but his ability to get buckets is unquestionable, even with the mundane shooting numbers. He clearly has holes in his game at this point, but the Nuggets getting Jamal Murray at No. 7 is still solid value for a team with a young, developing core.

Grade: A-

Next: Draft Pick No. 2