2022 NBA Draft Grades for all 15 teams in the Western Conference

2022 NBA Draft Grades for the Western Conference: Denver Nuggets

Picks: Christian Braun, Wing, Kansas (21); Peyton Watson, Wing, UCLA (30); Ismail Kamagate, Center, Paris (46)

The Denver Nuggets kicked off the offseason trading season by salary-dumping JaMychal Green and picking up the No. 30 pick in this year’s draft as part of the deal. That gave them two first-rounders, and many expected the Nuggets to draft a couple of players who could be low-cost replacements for veterans jettisoned to save money and get under the luxury tax.

That’s not the direction they went at 21, taking a player in Christian Braun who fits excellently with the stars they have in place. He is a solid shooter and gritty defender who can get out in transition and run, making him the perfect receiver for Nikola Jokic’s outlet passes. He’s a solid role player who will thrive playing on the Nuggets.

They again chose not to add a switchable big or a pure point guard at 30, instead going for an upside swing with UCLA wing Peyton Watson. He was a hyped point guard who continued to grow physically while his minutes shrunk in college; he’s a big project but certainly brimming with talent, if it can be accessed.

Finally, the Nuggets took the best international center in the draft, Ismail Kamagate out of Paris. He has impressive functional athleticism, a massive wingspan, and fluid hips. He plays hard, has soft hands to catch lobs, and is a solid shot blocker. He needs to realize the potential, but there is a reasonable path to Kamagate being a starting-level center.

Grade: B-