Denver Nuggets: 2017 NBA Draft grades

What to make of the Nuggets draft

So, overall, it was a weird night for the Nuggets.

They could have taken an elite perimeter defender at No. 13 — who could have formed a terrific duo next to Gary Harris — but opted to trade down.

We already went over who they landed with the No. 24 pick, so let’s briefly touch on the other asset they received in Trey Lyles.

Lyles went 12th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, after spending one season at Kentucky. The former Wildcat showed some promise as a rookie, averaging 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game on 43.8 percent shooting and 38.3 percent from three.

However, as a sophomore, he regressed. In his second year, Lyles averaged 0.1 more points, while his shooting plummeted to 36.2 percent overall and 31.9 percent from three.

It’s irrefutable that he’s a talent: He’s agile with a solid ball handle and a pretty jumper, while standing 6’10” with a 7’1.5″ wingspan. If Denver’s staff can get him to regain his rookie-year form — and improve upon it — their move to acquire him looks a lot better. Plus, he’s still just 21 years old.

If you need further comforting on the trade, just relive the best performance of Lyles’ young career, when he dropped 22 points, six rebounds and four three-pointers on…the Nuggets!

Aside from Lyles, Lydon could eventually become a solid role player at power forward, Cancar may be a solid wing when (if?) he comes over, who plays with great instincts and possesses a solid jump shot, and some called Morris the steal of the second round.

Next: 2017 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams

The Nuggets have built a solid young core over recent years; team management deserves the benefit of the doubt. If Lyles becomes Chris Bosh 2.0, then tonight was a great success for the franchise, and even if he doesn’t, at least they swung for the fences on a 21-year-old who, at one point, appeared to have a bright future ahead.

Grade: C-