Denver Nuggets: Best candidates for 2018-19 NBA awards

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 1: Nikola Jokic #15, Jamal Murray #27, and Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets high five during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 1, 2018 at the Pepsi 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Rookie of the Year: Thomas Welsh

If Michael Porter Jr. were even remotely healthy heading into the 2018-19 season, he’d get the nod here, but the consensus is that the 14th overall pick will likely miss the entire year rehabbing from back surgery.

This leaves us with Thomas Welsh, a center out of UCLA taken with the 58th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft who’s playing on a two-way contract. During his senior season at UCLA, Welsh played well, averaging 12.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.

Standing at 7’0”, he’s not much of a shot-blocker but he should be able to contribute on the boards in garbage time.

Given the depth of the 2018 rookie class and his two-way contract, Welsh obviously had a slim to none chance at being named top rookie. Throw in that Denver’s best player occupies his position and one can simply guarantee Welsh won’t be taking home that trophy next summer.

(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Most Improved Player: Jamal Murray

Jamal Murray took a huge leap in his sophomore season, increasing his scoring average by 6.8 points per game while actually seeing a rise in his efficiency across the board.

Originally a 2-guard coming out of Kentucky, Murray has slowly transitioned to the role of primary ball-handler, and while there certainly have been some bumps along the way, he’s clearly proven capable of handling those responsibilities.

Now entering his third year in the pros, Murray will have the chance to put it all together and truly assert himself as one of the best floor generals in the game.

He’s surrounded by talent at every position in a fast-paced offensive system tailor-made to produce numbers, and given the ascension he took from year one to two, it’s not so crazy to suggest a similar leap this coming season, claiming some hardware in the process.

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