March 13, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) laughs with Indiana Pacers point guard Darren Collison (2) and Indiana Pacers small forward Danny Granger (33) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeated Portland 92-75. Mandatory credit: Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE

There aren’t many playoff models that the Denver Nuggets can copy, but the Indiana Pacers are one.

Unlike the Oklahoma City Thunder, who built their team around top draft picks (Kevin Durant was the second pick in 2007, Russell Westbrook drafted fourth overall in 2008 and James Harden third pick in 2009), the Pacers have built their team around some good late picks and solid trades. And the moves have helped the Pacers finish with one of the best records in the NBA (42-24) and have them being a major challenge to the Heat in the East.

Arguably Indiana’s two best players were picked towards the end of the first round. Danny Granger was picked with the 17th pick in 2005 and Roy Hibbert, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, was picked in 2008 with the 17th pick by the Toronto Raptors and was dealt to the Pacers in a multi-player deal for Jermaine O’Neal. Both Granger and Hibbert have been chosen to the All-Star Game.

Of course in 2005 the Nuggets drafted Julius Hodge three picks after Granger. Hodge’s NBA career lasted a grand total of 23 games. He also got shot during a drive-by in 2006, not a recipe for success. However, in 2008 Denver traded the pick for a future pick which they turned into Ty Lawson.

The Pacers have added Darren Collison and George Hill in trades and signed David West in the offseason. Indiana’s highest draft picks were Paul George (1oth pick in 2007) and Tyler Hansbrough (13th pick in 2009). While Hansbrough has proven to be a reliable player off the bench, it is George, who is only 22-years-old, that has the highest upside for the Pacers. His defense against Dwyane Wade in the playoffs has opened eyes of many in the NBA circuit.

For the Nuggets, it’s moves like snagging Lawson and Kenneth Faried (who the Nuggets drafted with the 22nd pick last summer) that can help Denver mirror Indiana’s success. The Nuggets have also added Corey Brewer, Arron Afflalo, Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari via trades and Jordan Hamilton via draft day trade. If Denver can keep JaVale McGee, he could possibly be another move to help the Nuggets reach the next level.

The Nuggets may need a move or two to be a top-seed (Indiana was a top-3 seed in the East), but they have a nice foundation that they can build on. This NBA Draft should help, as young, exciting prospects like Dion Waiters, Arnett Moultrie, Quincy Miller and Doron Lamb are rumored to be around around the 20th pick, which is where Denver is currently picking in the draft.

However, it also would help being active in free agency. Obviously, finding a way to keep McGee is a must but adding veterans like Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry or Ray Allen would help put Denver over the edge. Or going after the younger players like Michael Beasley, Jerryd Bayless and Jeff Green would be nice additions to the Nuggets revamped roster.

Since drafting Carmelo Anthony in 2003, the draft has been a traveshamockery for Nuggets fans. In 2007 and 2008, the Nuggets didn’t even have a pick and in 2006 and 2004, their only pick was traded for a future draft choice. The only player that has really come out of their drafts in the past 5 years has been Julius Hodge from NC State, and we all know how that has worked out. When Wark and Co. actually do make selections, they aren’t all that bad. They selected future all-star and PG for the NBA Finals contenders Orlando Magic, and a PF that already has a ring, in Leon Powe. I’m sure the Nuggets would have loved to have Jameer and Leon in the Lakers series.

Well, with the past behind us, the Nuggets have only the 34th overall pick in this year’s rather shallow NBA draft.  I’m going to assume that for the first time in years, that the Nuggets will keep the draft pick and n0t sell it away or trade it for a future pick, so they don’t have to worry about the salary burden this year.  A few mock drafts around the web have us taking Jermaine Taylor, Jonas Jerebko, or Victor Claver.  You probably had the same reaction I did…..Who???

Jermaine Taylor is a highly athletic 2 guard from relatively obscure Central Florida.  He averaged 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 3-pointers a game.  He’s not a good ball handler, but his jump shot more than makes up for it.  He plays good defense and could be a Dahntay Jones with a jump shot, if allowed to develop.

Jonas Jerebko is a 210, 6-9 SF from Sweden.  Jonas played in the Italian league last year, and didn’t really impress with his 9 ppg, and 5 rpg.  He’s not a good ball handler or passer but has active hands on the defensive end.  He gets a lot of defelctions and grabs every D-board in his vicinity.  Noting how well the Nuggets have drafted foreign players, i would stay away.

Victor Claver is a 210, 6-10 PF from Spain.  Even with his height, he projects to be a small PF or SF in the NBA.  He needs to get some weight on him, if he ever wants to be an impact player in the NBA.  Claver is obviously a Sports Center baby.  He finishes at the rim, and he shoots 3′s but that’s about it.  He has no mid-range game and can’t handle the ball well.  I don’t think anyone will take a chance on him because of his serious knee injury he sustained last year.  Someone might be able to grab him as a steal if he can come back strong from the injury, but I don’t think the Nuggets will.

I think the Nuggets need to find a PG or a big man down low.  A few guys slated to go in the 2nd round that I think can fill the Nuggets needs would be Patty Mills, Darren Collison, Jeff Pendergraph, and Toney Douglas.

Patty Mills would be my first choice out of these 5 but beacuse of his rising stock in the past few weeks, I doubt will still be around in the 2nd round.  He’s an Australian that went to college at St. Mary’s.  If not for an injury to his right hand, he would have led the Gaels to a NCAA tournament birth last year.  Mills would be a great compliment to Chancey Billups because of his explosive first step and his quickness when handling the ball.  He loves to push the ball in transition and can get his hands on the ball on the defensive end.  He’s not a great scorer but can make an open jump shot when it’s needed.  Once in the NBA, his percentages will rise on his jump shot and will become a very good player, that can both score and create for others.

Darren Collison spent all 4 years at UCLA and has developed into quite the floor general.  He’s not going to wow you with his offensive skills, but he can make shots when he needs to, and can get to the rim.  Collison also gets it done on the defensive end, with 1.6 steals a game.  He is an efficient player that will never be an all-star in the NBA.  He won’t be a starter in the league but would be a huge upgrade from Anthony Carter.  They both play good defense but that’s where the similarities end.  Collison actually has a jump shot, and he makes good decisions.

Toney Douglas was the best player in the ACC last year.  It wasn’t Tyler Hansbrough, Gerald Henderson, Jon Scheyer, or Greivis Vazquez.  Douglas is a thick scoring PG weighing in at almost 200 lbs.  He averaged 21 ppg and only 2.5 turnovers.  This is great considering he had to handle the ball on every possesion for his Florida State team.  This might not be the best fit for the Nugget because he’s not a great passer.  I think he could develop into a great scorer in this league though.

Jeff Pendergraph is a 240 lbs,  6’10″ center from Arizona State.  Pendergraph was overlooked at ASU because he was playing next to 1st round hopeful James Harden.  While Harden is obviously the better talent, a lot of times on the court Pendergraph was the best player out there.  He has a 7’1″ wingspan and a 35 inch vertical to cause problems in the paint.  He is a hard worker and doesn’t need the ball on offense to be effective.  He can clean up the boards with the best of them, and could be a good role player in the upcoming years.

Hopefully the Nuggets don’t try to look overseas for their next draft pick.  The Nuggets don’t need the next big thing but rather a good role player for the upcoming season.