Despite numerous years of having a pick in the lottery the Denver Nuggets haven’t had a lot of success in the NBA Draft. There have been some major duds (Nikoloz Tskitishvili and Efthimis Rentzias), but some big hits (Carmelo Anthony, Kenneth Faried and Dikembe Mutombo). Here are some of the Nuggets best drafts:

2003 NBA DRAFT: Drafted Carmelo Anthony (3rd pick), Sani Becirovic (46th)
Say what you will about Anthony, but it’s tough to find a better Nuggets’ draft. Not only did the Nuggets jump their win total from 17 to 43 in Anthony’s rookie season, but Denver made the playoffs each of the seven seasons he played on the team. He also averaged more than 20 points each year and was second in scoring in the 2006-07 season (28.9). In the end, Anthony was dealt to New York in a mega-deal which brought Danilo Gallinari and Timofey Mozgov to the Nuggets. Becirovic, who was a prominent player in Europe, has never taken his talents over to the U.S. and it is highly unlikely he’ll ever play a game in the NBA. He is 31 years old and his career has been devastated by knee injuries.

1991 NBA DRAFT: Drafted Dikembe Mutombo (4th), Mark Macon (8th) and traded for Winston Garland
Macon never panned out for the Nuggets and was quickly traded two seasons later for Alvin Robertson. However, Mutombo was a solid performer for Denver (see here for his accomplishments). Probably the biggest accomplishment for the 7-foot-2 finger-wagging defensive enforcer was guiding the eighth-seeded Nuggets past top-seeded Seattle Supersonics. Mutombo left Denver in 1996 and signed a max deal with the Atlanta Hawks. Garland was Denver’s starting point guard in 1991, but was waived later on.

1992 NBA DRAFT: Drafted LaPhonso Ellis (5th pick), Bryant Stith (13th)
Stith and Ellis were never at the magnitude of Mutombo, but both were legitimate starters for the Nuggets. Ellis was chosen to the All-Rookie Team and also nearly averaged a double-double (15.4 points, 9.7 rebounds) his rookie year. He was an intense rebounder, defender and a solid offensive threat. Later in his career he developed a three-point shot as Denver tried to move him over to small forward. He was hampered by a knee injury during his third season in the NBA, which limited how he played the next two seasons. Despite playing only 55 games in 1996, he led the Nuggets in scoring (21.9 points).
Stith was the Nuggets starting shooting guard from 1993 to 1997 and made his living on the defensive side of the ball (averaging nearly 1.5 steals from 1993 to 1996) and his team-first mentality. In 1996 when a number of free agents were cashing in on new paychecks Stith deferred and re-signed with the Nuggets at a discounted price ($22 million for five years). In 2000, Denver traded Stith to the Boston Celtics.

1998 NBA DRAFT: Drafted Raef LaFrentz (3rd pick), Tremaine Fowlkes (54th), Ryan Bowen (55th) and traded for Nick Van Exel
LaFrentz was suppose to be the safe pick on the draft and he was. However, the Nuggets passed on three would-be stars in Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter and Paul Pierce. LaFrentz toyed with the Nuggets with his potential. One game he’d have a 20-point, 10-rebound performance, but would follow that up by barely cracking 10 points. He was a great weak-side shotblocker, but wasn’t a great defender and constantly received the wrath of Dan Issel, who coached the Nuggets at the time.
Van Exel was the big gamble that paid off for the Nuggets as they dealt Tony Battie, aka ‘El Busto’ and the draft rights to Tyronn Lue to get the All-Star point guard with a bad attitude. Van Exel was everything the Nuggets needed and more. He raised his scoring in each of the three seasons he was in Denver and nearly averaged a double-double in 1999, averaging 16.1 points and 9 rebounds. He teamed up with Antonio McDyess to put Denver in the playoff race each season, but in the end the Nuggets fell short. After failing to make the playoffs for three straight seasons, the Nuggets packaged Van Exel and LaFrentz to Dallas in a salary-dumping trade.
Bowen was drafted for his energy and hustle and he didn’t disappoint. After spending a season overseas playing basketball, Bowen played for the Nuggets from 1999 to 2004. Despite never averaging more than five points a game, Bowen was a key factor of the Nuggets rotation, playing hard every time he got on the floor. Fowles never played for the Nuggets.

2009 NBA DRAFT: Traded for Ty Lawson

The 1995 Draft could be considered one of Nuggets better draft due to Antonio McDyess’ success. But McDyess was traded two years later and played his best years when he returned to Denver as a free agent. The 2011 Draft when the Nuggets snagged Faried and Jordan Hamilton may end up as one of Denver’s best drafts, but it’s too early to tell. However, when the Nuggets acquired Lawson in the 2009 Draft may have saved the franchise. Imagine the impact the Anthony trade would have on the Nuggets if Lawson wasn’t there? Raymond Felton and Andre Miller were good, but not great and both can’t do half the things that Lawson can. Lawson is one of the quickest player up and down the court and shoots the ball at a proficient rate and rarely turns it over. His confidence continues to grow and we saw how dangerous he can be in the first-round playoff series against the L.A. Lakers.

Mar 26, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson (3) dribbles the ball as Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) defends during the second half at the United Center. The Denver Nuggets won 108-91. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-US PRESSWIRE

Ty Lawson wrapped up his career season with a breakout performance in the 2012 playoffs.

He led the Nuggets in points (19.4) and assists (6) in the postseason, as well as posting an impressive assist to turnover ratio (5.3/1). He also had some stellar performances, including scoring 32 points on 13 of 18 shooting in Game 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

That performance put the final touches on Lawson’s season in which he had career-bests in points (16.4), rebounds (3.7), assists (6.6), steals (1.3) and free-throw percentage (.824). He also was still efficient shooting the ball (.488 from the field and .365 from behind the arc).

Lawson is arguably the quickest guard in the League and is one of the toughest players to stop from driving the basket. He also has become nearly automatic from mid-range.

The former Tar Heel was 11th among NBA point guards according to Hollinger’s Efficiency stats with a 19.43 PER. Five of the players (Derrick Rose, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry, Deron Williams and Jeremy Lin) that had higher PERs missed more than 10 games.

No doubt Lawson hasn’t hit his ceiling, but how good can he be?

It’s highly unlikely that he’ll ever reach the elite level like Chris Paul or Rose, who are the top point guards in the League. And even young point guards like John Wall and Irving have a much brighter future than Lawson – thanks in most part to their great mix of size, athleticism and speed.

But it isn’t out of the question that Lawson can follow similar career paths as Tony Parker, Rajon Rondo and former All-Star Terrell Brandon.

TONY PARKER

Parker is the most comparable player to Lawson in the NBA. Both have great end-to-end speed, and are at their best driving to the basket.

Of course, Parker had the advantage of playing with Tim Duncan, who is one of the best big man to ever play the game, and Manu Ginboli, who is one of the more crafty players in the NBA.

And it’s fair to say that Lawson should be a better player than Parker. He is a greater passer, has a much more reliable jumper and more strength.

The Nuggets’ young point guard is already putting up higher numbers than Parker did when he was 24. Of course, Parker also had two NBA titles before he was 24 and was chosen as the NBA Finals MVP in 2007 when he was 25.

One thing that separates Parker from Lawson, is his ability to control the flow of the game. The veteran point guard can push the tempo or run a half-court offense. He does a good job at dictating the pace of the game. Lawson on the other hand, still struggles to do this consistency. He gets passive and sometimes lets his teammates and the defense dictate the flow. He also still struggles at time in the half-court, especially if his jumper isn’t falling. But it’s hard to fault the young point guard, who plays in George Karl’s fast-paced offence that is most effective in transition.

RAJON RONDO

While Rondo’s game is completely different than Lawson, his growth and road to the All-Star level is one that Lawson could mirror.

Rondo was a late pick in the 2006 NBA Draft and was acquired by the Boston Celtics on draft day. However, unlike Lawson, Rondo has spent much of his career being surrounded by All-Stars like Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.

Rondo was thrust into the starting lineup at the start of his second season and has gradually improved each season, setting his career best in assists with 11.7. Scoring-wise, he has never really been a threat (he averaged a career-best 13.7 in 2010) – up until his historical performance in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals when he nearly had a triple-double with 44 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

Rondo has also taken more of a leadership role due to the diminishing talents of the Celtics’ Big Three and he has thrived on both sides of the ball.

Lawson was also forced into a larger role due to the changes to the Nuggets’ lineups. Luckily enough his demeanor doesn’t mirror Rondo’s, who had eight technical fouls this season. Lawson had zero.

The Nuggets point guard will never be confused with Rondo on the defensive side of the ball, but his efficiency shooting the ball and his speed makes him just as dangerous on the other side of the ball.

Very few guards in the NBA can shoot the ball as proficiency. Lawson’s career mark is .499 from the field, and he shot over .50 percent in 30 of 60 games this season and Denver went 21-9 over that span. His confidence has grown as he has matured and in the playoffs he proved how good he can be (scoring 32 in Game 6 and 24 in Game 7 and hitting 24 of 37 shots during both games) when he is aggressive.

Rondo is also a better playmaker, leading the NBA in assists (11.7).

TERRELL BRANDON

Lawson may be the second-coming of Brandon, who had a vastly underrated career. The 5-foot-11 point guard was twice chosen to the All-Star game and spent the beginning of his career stuck behind Mark Price.

Brandon, who was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1991, didn’t officially become the full-time starter for the Cavs until his fourth season when he averaged 19.3 points a game to go with 6.5 assists a game and made his first All-Star appearance.

While Brandon was a great shooter (.355 career 3-point shooter, .873 from free throw line), he still was quick on the drive and was nearly automatic from mid-range. He also wasn’t aggressive and made a point to get his teammates involved. He finished his career with an impressive assist to turnover ratio (3.1/1).

Brandon became more of a role player during his days in Minnesota and was a supporting scorer for Garnett and Wally Szczerbiak.

While the Nuggets work on a contract extension with Lawson this offseason, but Nuggets fans will eagerly watch to see how good the young point guard will be and how far he can carry Denver.