Denver Nuggets: 5 options for pick No. 14 in 2018 NBA Draft

4. Zhaire Smith

• Height: 6’5″
• Weight: 195 lbs
• Age: 18
• Position: SF

The only small forward the Nuggets have locked up on their roster is Wilson Chandler, who is 30. They need to look to add depth behind Chandler, and for his potential replacement on the wing when his time in Denver is over.

Zhaire Smith is one of the youngest players in this draft and one of the most explosive. He needs to sharpen his ball-handling and 3-point shooting, but Smith brings excellent size and athleticism to the wing right away. He is more of a defensive slasher at the moment, but is very young and has room to grow in his basketball skill. The Ringer labeled Smith as a “defensive wing whose explosiveness could hang with the Monstars in Space Jam.”

In his one season at Texas Tech, Smith averaged 11.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals in 28.4 minutes per game while shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 45 percent from the 3-point line. Smith was not on the draft radar this year, but he was a big reason Texas Tech went far in the NCAA Tournament, and NBA scouts took notice.

The Ringer compared him to Norman Powell and Wesley Matthews. Both guys bring good size, and athleticism on the wing and are known for their ability to play strong defense. Only 18, Smith could develop, come off the bench and learn behind Chandler for a few seasons before being asked to be a consistent, meaningful contributor.