Denver Nuggets: 5 Best Moments of the Offseason

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Jamal Murray (Kentucky) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Juan Hernangomez greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number fifteen overall pick to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Juan Hernangomez Signs With the Team

The Nuggets are no strangers to the draft-and-stash. Recently, they employed this strategy with both Nikola Jokic and Joffrey Lauvergne.

The selection of Juan Hernangomez in this year’s draft seemed to indicate they were heading this direction again, but the Spaniard surprisingly inked a deal with Denver this summer. This confirms he’ll be on the roster and ready to contribute to begin the season.

Hernangomez could be a difference maker in 2016-17. While the Nuggets aren’t low on power forwards with both Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur on board, the rookie could provide something different.

He’s comfortable shooting from distance and fits the mold of the prototypical stretch 4. This is something the Nuggets haven’t really had in the past.

Plus, at 6’9″ Hernangomez could actually function as a small-ball center if the Nuggets so desired. After all, the 6’8″ and much less versatile Kenneth Faried found himself in that position fairly often last season.

In an evolving league where smaller lineups are excelling, Hernangomez could be a dangerous weapon. It’s hard to view his signing as anything other than beneficial for Denver. The sooner he comes overseas to acclimate himself to the NBA, the better.

Next: No. 2

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