Denver Nuggets: A top-10 draft pick is still on the table

The Denver Nuggets failed to move up in the lottery for the 15th time in team history, but the possibility of trading up is still on the table.

For the 15th time in team history, the Denver Nuggets failed to move up from their pre-lottery draft position. It’s not particularly gutting, as Denver is closer to contention than most teams drafting in the top-14. There are plenty of appealing prospects that should still be available when they make the 13th overall pick of the draft.

But with all the young talent and assets that Denver is sitting on, the possibility of trading into the top-10 has to be considered. If they play their cards right, they may not have to wait until free agency to find the next big addition to their roster.

The Celtics, Lakers, Kings, Magic and Knicks are all either in need of a guard, or drafting in a position in which the top guards are too good to pass on. This is a huge advantage for the Nuggets, who are likely looking for a wing or a big man.

Denver will miss out on the first wave of forwards, as Jayson Tatum and Josh Jackson are sure to go in the top-five or so. But players like Jonathan Isaac and Lauri Markkanen should still be around for picks seven through nine.

Isaac could be that impactful player that Connelly is describing. He’s a tweener with the traditional athleticism of a wing, but the size of a big. He measured in at just under 6’11”, yet he’s listed as a small forward in some draft profiles.

As things stand, the Nuggets sit in good position to grab a solid, versatile defender at the wing position in OG Anunoby. But Isaac is on another level when it comes to defensive versatility and upside. He can find minutes at the 3, and the 4, and has the potential to guard positions 2-5 when necessary.

Then there’s Markkanen, the dangerous stretch-4 out of Arizona who has drawn comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki with his shooting style and prowess. Truthfully, that comparison is a little lazy. He’s tall, he’s white and he shoots well, but that’s really the extent of it. Markkanen brings a unique game that has some NBA scouts salivating.

He is listed at seven feet, and he shot 42.3 percent from deep on 4.4 attempts per game in his 2016-17 season with the Wildcats. The Nuggets have multiple power forwards on their roster, but he might be able to play both the 4 and the 5 in Denver.

He could find minutes behind Nikola Jokic and Kenneth Faried, while potentially sliding in nicely beside the big Serbian, thanks to his ability to stretch interior defenders.

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These players aren’t thought of as in the same tier as Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball. But they’re super talented, and they could help their teams tremendously if drafted into the right situation.

The Timberwolves sit at No. 7, and they probably won’t budge from that position. They’re a young, talented power forward away from an all-future lineup that would make any NBA hipster fan’s mouth drool. They’ll likely take one of those two players. Though it’s still anyone’s guess as to which one.

Denver certainly has the assets if they still want to pull the trigger on moving up. New York wants a point guard, and it’s reasonable to expect them to select Dennis Smith Jr. with the eighth pick, should he still be available.

The Knicks might be talked into trading down to 13 in exchange for Emmanuel Mudiay, a future pick, and the valuable contract of Wilson Chandler. Knicks fans would hate it, but in that scenario New York could come away with a former lottery pick at point guard and possibly a defensive-minded big to pair with Kristaps Porzingis. Is it a stretch? Definitely. But it’s also the Knicks. Anything is on the table.

It doesn’t seem likely that Dallas would be interested in trading down. The Mavericks are slowly transitioning into the post-Dirk era. They already have a decent start on building a young core in Yogi Ferrell and Nerlens Noel, but they need a player who can develop into something special.

It just makes too much sense for them to hang onto their pick and try to draft Lauri Markkanen. The Dirk comparison may be lazy, but he is the ideal candidate for his successor. It would take a large haul to pry that pick away.

The Kings already have two top-10 picks, and their front office has a reputation for irrational and unpredictable behavior. The possibility of a poor decision on their end always looms, and they might be talked into a trade.

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Draft Express predicts that the Kings will select the big man Zach Collins out of Gonzaga with the 10th pick. This is assuming they select point guard De’Aaron Fox with the fifth pick, as many expect them to. But the Kings rarely do what’s expected.

Perhaps they would consider drafting shooting guard Malik Monk at No. 5 instead. Then they could swap that second pick with Denver in exchange for Emmanuel Mudiay. Playing Buddy Hield at the 3 probably isn’t a great idea. But it sounds like just the kind of thing Sacramento would do.

Unfortunately, moving up to 10 doesn’t really help Denver, as neither Isaac nor Markkanen are likely to be available.

There’s some real risk involved in any decision to trade up. The Nuggets have constructed a talented roster built on a foundation of youth and high potential. They don’t need to rock the boat for a shot at moving up four or five spots in the draft, especially if they have to give up too much in return.

Next: NBA Draft - The best player selected in all 60 spots

But Connelly has been an elite general manager in the offseason since taking over in Denver. Don’t rule out the possibility of him working his June magic once again. It’s unlikely, but a top-10 pick is still on the table for Denver.