Denver Nuggets: Complete 2017 offseason grades

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 8: Darrell Arthur #00 and Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets and Rocky the Mountain Lion, mascot of the Denver Nuggets, pose for a photo during a jersey launch event on August 8, 2017 at the Denver Performing Arts Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Drafting Vlatko Cancar

With a pair of second round picks and an already crowded roster, it seemed likely that Denver would take an international prospect who was not yet ready to come over. They did just that in drafting Vlatko Cancar, adding another forward to an increasingly crowded collection.

The Nuggets have seen incredible success in recent years from international players, from solid contributors in Danilo Gallinari and Timofey Mozgov to young current prospects in Nikola Jokic, Juan Hernangomez and Jusuf Nurkic, even if the latter was traded away.

In Cancar, the Nuggets have a versatile combo forward who has developed over the past few years into a capable shooter and defensive player. Playing for well-known European team Mega Leks, where Jokic himself starred, Cancar stepped up as a key reserve as a 19-year-old.

While the Nuggets have now loaded their forward spots with potential options, Cancar is a player who can continue his development from a distance. While Denver sorts out the long-term viability of Hernangomez, Lyles and Lydon behind starters Wilson Chandler and Paul Millsap, Cancar can grow his game overseas. Whether he can come stateside and be a meaningful contributor is certainly possible, and the 49th pick is an easy price to pay for such a shot.

Grade: B-

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