Denver Nuggets: 5 options for pick No. 13 in 2017 NBA Draft

5. John Collins, PF, Wake Forest

One of the names that you’re less likely to see Denver taking in mock drafts is John Collins. The big man out of Wake Forest averaged 19.2 points per game on 62.4 percent shooting in the 2016-17 season. He grabbed 9.8 total rebounds as well, 3.8 of them coming on the offensive end.

According to Draft Express, Collins measured in at 6’9 1/2″ and 225 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine. 6’9″ is a serviceable height for a college big, and Collins spent a lot of time playing center at Wake. But when you factor in his 6’11” wingspan, his position at the professional level comes into question. He’s listed as a power forward in draft profiles.

Collins is explosive—he boasts a 33″ standing vertical—but as the guys at Draft Express point out, he might be not be big or long enough to assume the center position when his team utilizes a small-ball lineup.

Shooting 62.4 percent from the field is a stat that jumps off the page, but it’s not a number that he is likely to maintain in the pros. Consider this excerpt from NBA.com’s Josh Cohen:

"“[Collins] doesn’t have much of an offensive repertoire (not much range, not a threat when he faces up) … [but] He has a nice jump hook and can spin away from a defender. He’s not bulky enough to back down opponents but he’s long enough to shoot over them.”"

Shooting over defenders will get harder for Collins in the NBA, where he will be on the smaller side for a big. While Cohen’s opinion should be valued more highly than the one being offered here, it’s also worth pointing out that Collins isn’t actually that long. 6’11” is not an exceptional wingspan for someone of his size.

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The upside here is Collins’ explosiveness. He’s not the largest or strongest big in this draft, but he’s certainly got the ups to finish around the rim at the NBA level. This guy inhales boards and injects energy into his team with his athleticism. Collins was considered one of the premier offensive threats in the pick-and-roll in all of college basketball, and he’s also got some soft hands.

A player with those traits could help the Nuggets, but his biggest weakness might be defense—something Denver needs desperately. Plus, adding Collins to the roster doesn’t fill any outstanding needs.

Limited shooter, great rebounder and exceptional leaper at the power forward position. Sound familiar? It should. Denver already has that type of player in Kenneth Faried, and Chandler and Hernangomez provide depth at the same position. This is why Collins falls all the way down to No. 5 on this list.