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Prospects the Denver Nuggets could target in the 2020 NBA Draft

By Dahniel Rogers

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 23: Jamal Murray poses with Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted seventh overall by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 23, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 23: Jamal Murray poses with Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted seventh overall by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 23, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Denver Nuggets Photo by Pablo Morano/MB Media/Getty Images
Denver Nuggets Photo by Pablo Morano/MB Media/Getty Images /

Foreign prospect

In general, it appears that most foreign prospects in this draft class are poised to be selected in the early or mid-first round, or in the second round. There is, however, one prospect that I believe could be justifiably selected by the Nuggets in the late first round.

Leandro Bolmaro, projected by NBADraft.net to go 36th overall, could be a potential target for the Nuggets in my opinion. I understand the big stretch between the 23rd selection and his 36th projection but hear me out. This selection could be justified by the Nuggets if they feel that they have enough of a young core financially secured for the future that they could take a gamble at this spot. Plus the gold struck in the drafting of Nikola Jokic 41st overall gives optimism that another lower-ranked European could be a major impact player in the proper system.

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The stats aren’t necessarily on Bolmaro’s side, as this past season he only played seven games for Barcelona and averaged 4.4 points, 1.4 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 12.7 minutes played per game. However, after watching very limited footage of him, there is a player he reminds me of. The comparison might come off as slightly weak since Bolmaro is Argentinian and the best Argentinian to ever play in the NBA is Manu Ginóbili, but his game screams Ginóbili to me.

He has what seems to be a fairly reliable perimeter shot from a small sample size, he has a knack to slither past defenders despite not being overly athletic, and he has is a very creative and unselfish passer. The two are also approximately the same height and weight as well, which adds to the comparison. If I were to guess, the difference between the two at the next level will probably be mostly intangible qualities rather than skill. Bolmaro is yet to prove his aggressiveness, responsiveness to various roles on a professional team, and how high his motor will run.

Ginóbili was drafted with the 57th overall pick, despite becoming a four-time NBA champion and a likely NBA Hall of Fame selection. I think many of the skills are there for Bolmaro, but it would still be a somewhat risky selection because of the intangible factors I previously mentioned. The best-case scenario from what I can see is that he develops into a player that can shoot off the catch, will cut off Jokic for open baskets, and will hit open cutters in the Nuggets offense. The worst-case scenario is he doesn’t pan out or never even comes to the NBA. The Nuggets need to decide if they feel that they’re in a risk-taking position or not because I think there is a solid upside here.

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