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NBA Draft: Each team’s greatest draft pick of all-time

By Daniel Lubofsky

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers take a breather on November 12, 2009 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI - NOVEMBER 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers take a breather on November 12, 2009 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic
Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

Greatest draft pick in Denver Nuggets history: Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic is not supposed to be the name that represents the Denver Nuggets within this list. This list is reserved for top picks who were destined for greatness before they even got to the NBA. Jokic was the 41st selection of the 2014 Draft. His selection didn’t even take precedence over a Taco Bell commercial.

Jokic was originally in a position battle with Jusuf Nurkic, but it didn’t take him long to stand out. His passing ability was rare for a player of his size, giving the Nuggets an edge no other team possessed. So, Denver continued to push to see the heights this mysterious Serbian big man could reach, ultimately trading Nurkic and making Jokic the focal point of the franchise.

For three straight years, Jokic upped his points, rebounds and assists, culminating in his first All-Star appearance in 2019. The numbers that hovered around 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists were absurd. Triple doubles became shockingly normal. More importantly, Denver reentered the playoff conversation.

A second-round exit was a bit of a disappointment for the two-seeded Nuggets, especially after losing Game 7 on their home floor. But in the first playoff appearance of the Jokic era, Denver showed its potential with Jokic quickly acclimating to the big stage by averaging 25.1 points, 13.0 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game. The next season, they began to realize quite a bit of it.

One 3-1 deficit preceded another down in the Disney bubble last season en route to Denver’s first conference finals appearance since 2009. Though his numbers were ultimately down compared to his first playoff run with 24.4 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game, Jokic tortured both the Jazz and Clippers as an unsolvable force, someone you had to double because of how easily he could bully his way to the basket but didn’t want to send help to because of his ability to pick apart a defense with his dishing.

Jokic was already an established All-Star and arguably the best at his position heading into this season. Yet he still found a way to elevate his play, ultimately becoming an MVP favorite. The Nuggets never expected any of Jokic’s superstardom. They like what it has brought the franchise so far. Odds are they’re going to love what seems inevitable to come.

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