Apr 2, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Marquis Teague (25) hits a three point shot over Kansas Jayhawks guard Tyshawn Taylor (10) during the second half of the finals in the 2012 NCAA men

The Denver Nuggets caught many off-guard when they drafted Evan Fournier with their top pick and Sam Amick of CNNSI.com suggested that the Nuggets planned to re-sign Andre Miller all along and that is the reason they passed on Marquis Teague – who Denver was really high on.

Sources confirmed that point guard Andre Miller agreed to a three-year deal to return to the Nuggets. Miller was widely expected to head elsewhere, and now it makes some sense as to why the Nuggets passed on Kentucky point guard Marquis Teague in Thursday’s draft. Despite a source close to the Nuggets saying that Teague was high on their radar, they took French shooting guard Evans Fournier with the 20th pick. The potent Ty Lawson-Miller one-two punch, in other words, will remain together after all.

While it is a good theory, it isn’t very likely. Even if the Nuggets drafted Teague they would would have still tried to re-sign Miller or add a veteran point guard. Teague has enormous talent, but he isn’t ready to play in the NBA and would have been relegated to Denver’s bench. If anything the drafting of Teague would mean Julyan Stone would probably be waived. Not to mention Teague isn’t a great passer, which the Nuggets like out of their backup point guard.

The Nuggets obviously saw something in Fournier to draft him with the 20th pick, because they also passed on John Jenkins and Quincy Miller (who fell to the Nuggets with the 37th pick), two other players they were high on.

Mar 25, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Baylor Bears forward Quincy Miller (30) is fouled by Kentucky Wildcats forward Terrence Jones (3) in the first half during the finals of the south region of the 2012 NCAA men

The 2012 NBA Draft is loaded with talent from top to bottom, but there are just a few players that would be the ideal fit for the Nuggets’ up and down pace. Ironically some of them are from George Karl’s alma mater UNC.

TYLER ZELLER: Zeller doesn’t have the ceiling that many of the other prospects have, but he is also one of the few players that can play right away. The four-year star from UNC lacks JaVale McGee’s athleticism and the size of Timofey Mozgov, but he is one of the quickest big men in the game. He has a very skilled post game to go with a high basketball IQ and is the ultimate teammate. He isn’t a great defender, but is a very good one. It also doesn’t hurt that he has UNC-connections. Zeller would give the Nuggets a viable center and would allow them to continue to bring McGee off the bench, where he was most successful last season.

JOHN JENKINS: Shooting was one of Denver’s biggest weaknesses last year and Jenkins would definitely help. The Vanderbilt guard does one thing really well and that is shooting the ball. He is by far the best shooter in the draft, one that can get his shot off at any moment. He has been compared to JJ Redick and Dell Curry, the former actually played for Karl in Milwaukee. He worked out twice with the Nuggets and has a good relationship with Nuggets’ reserve Corey Brewer.

JOHN HENSON: Henson is a poor man’s Anthony Davis; he has go-go gadget arms (7-foot-6 wingspan) and can defend every position on the floor. He has been compared to former Nugget center Marcus Camby, due to his shot-blocking prowess and rebounding. He still struggles offensively and a dismal free throw shooter, but seeing how successful McGee was inDenver’s offense should at least help Henson’s offense. The Nuggets showed a lot of interest in Luc Mbah a Moute and Henson could become a similar type of player in the NBA.

TERRENCE JONES: There are questions about Jones’ drive, but his entire game is well defined. He can step out and shoot a three, as well as score in the post. He also showed a willingness to defend; he was responsible for defending Thomas Robinson in the NCAA title game. His versatility on defense helps him to defend the post as well as on the perimeter. If drafted by the Nuggets it is doubtful he will see time on the floor, much like Jordan Hamilton last season. However, in time Jones could fit into Al Harrington’s role off the bench.  

QUINCY MILLER: The talented 19-year-old small forward is a few years away from contributing, but his potential is as high as any player in the draft. He is still recovering from the ACL injury he suffered in high school, but a number of scouts believe he is one of the most talented players in the draft. Some even consider him as a poor man’s Kevin Durant. The Nuggets could use a player with Durant’s ability, but they also have the advantage of stashing a player on their bench for a year or two to develop.