Denver Nuggets: 5 options for pick No. 49 in 2017 NBA Draft

4. Dwayne Bacon, SF, FSU

Lost in the shadow of Florida State’s other wing prospect, Jonathan Isaac, is Dwayne Bacon. A sophomore, this is Bacon’s second time declaring for the draft.

He tested the waters after his freshman season, but wisely decided to come back for another go. A full season playing alongside Isaac helped bring the best out in him, and this time he enters the draft with full confidence that his name will be called.

His teammate Isaac is well described as gangly, but he possesses control of his outrageous length, and he his explosive to boot. Bacon profiles much differently, bringing strength and a stout, mature frame to the table. He is about 6’6″, and he weighed in at 222 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine.

He’s not the fastest forward in this class, but he has the strength and size required to play the wing and he brings some solid leaping ability to the table with a no step vertical north of 30 inches. He can finish around the rim.

Bacon would maximize his value as a prospect if he embraced his defensive potential. He has the height, weight and strength to match up with most wings. If he were to bring a defensive tenacity, and an opportunistic scoring mentality, he could become a useful piece.

But he is not the type of player that looks ready to embrace that role at the next level. Defensive engagement isn’t exactly Bacon’s calling guard, and his scoring style is not one that you would describe as efficient.

Despite having limited success as an outside shooter, Bacon is far from gun shy. He lets it rip early and often, and that’s a frustrating quality to have in most players, save a few exceptions like J.R. Smith. Smith is not a realistic comparison for Bacon, and his probable inability to play within his limits make him a less than ideal choice.

But he already has NBA size, and his confidence in his scoring ability doesn’t have to be viewed as a negative if he learns to pick his shots better. He’s worth considering at pick No. 49, but not the top choice out of the available talent, especially if the Nuggets draft a wing like OG Anunoby at 13.