Denver Nuggets: 5 options for pick No. 58 in 2018 NBA Draft
By Ty Delbridge
1. Gary Clark
- Height: 6’7”
- ‘Weight: 233 lbs
- Age: 23
- Position: PF
Besides targeting European players to stash overseas in the second round, teams also look for players who have been overlooked in the draft because of either their age or athleticism. Coming out of the University of Cincinnati, Gary Clark is 23. He is a high-energy guy who is going to make a career for himself in the NBA because of his hustle plays on both ends of the floor, defense and rebounding.
Last season at Cincinnati, Clark averaged 12.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks in 28.5 minutes per game while shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from the 3-point line (27-of-62). The Ringer labeled Clark as a “forward who understands his role as the tenacious defender and gritty rebounder who gets his nose dirty.”
The Nuggets would like to trade Kenneth Faried and get off of his hefty contract. If they move Faried, they could replace him with Clark. Just like Faried, Clark is a small power forward who relies on hustle plays and rebounding.
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Clark could back up Paul Millsap and Jokic at the power forward and could even play some small forward or small-ball center. He does not need the ball in his hands to be effective. Clark is going to do the little things that don’t always show up on the stat sheet but help the team win games. He is not going to be a star in the league but could be a meaningful, hard-working role player for a long time.