That’s right people the Denver Nuggets at least for right now have a first round pick in the NBA Draft.

Of course that could change over the next month. But until than, the Nuggets have the 22nd pick in what could be considered one of the worst drafts in recent history. Some of the better freshman, Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes and Perry and Terrence Jones (no relation), have each dropped out due to the imposing NBA lockout. So the talent pole remains very slim.

And due to the dearth amount of talent in the draft the Nuggets likely won’t find a player that would contribute anytime soon and the only need they really could fill through the draft is a third point guard. But for a pick so late, their best option is to draft the best available talent or trade the pick for a better talent, and here are a few players the Nuggets may consider:

• TOBIAS HARRIS, 6-8 223, Tennessee, Forward, 18 years old (19 in July), Freshman
  NBA Comparison: Kris Humphries, Ryan Gomes, Shane Battier, Glen Rice (don’t ask me, ask NBADraft.net)
  Harris is slated to go to the Nuggets in both Chad Ford’s Mock Draft and NBADraft.net’s Mock Draft, but considering his age and basketball IQ he is undoubtedly rising in the draft and there are rumors that he will soon be a lottery lock. Harris’s game is slightly underrated, he has great size, an adequate scorer and has potential to be a top of the line defender at the next level.
  He is similar to Atlanta Hawks’ Josh Smith, only less athletic but with a better basketball IQ. Offensively, he is a better player than Smith. He can bring the ball up the court and is good driving to the basket. With his length he can be a mismatch at either forward position. The only downside is he is a below average shooter (not as bad as Smith), but he does have an awkward release and doesn’t have a lot of lift (if at all) on his jump shot. Defensively, he will be valuable due to size and versatility. Harris could be a starter in the League, but not next season. (more…)

Sure the Denver Nuggets shot a dismal .375 from the field, but even when you struggle from the field you should find a way to win the game. And while four Nuggets players shot over 40 percent, what killed the team was effort.

The young Clippers not only out hustled the veteran Nuggets, they outsmarted them. Los Angeles grabbed 19 offensive rebounds, DeAndre Jordan alone had nine (Nuggets as a team had 10) and they hit .42 percent of their 3-pointers. Every time Denver cut into the deficit and shutdown LA, the Clippers answered.

THIRD QUARTER

10:03: Nuggets are down 51-48, Baron Davis misses a jumper in the lane and with Kenyon Martin over helping, Blake Griffin cut to the basket to score the putback. Nuggets tried to answer with an 18-foot jumper by Martin, but his shot missed which led to Ryan Gomes hitting a trey on the next possession.

3:17: Chauncey Billups hit a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 74-71, but Eric Bledsoe nailed a 3-pointer and then scored a basket (which he was fouled on, but missed the FT) to push the lead back up to eight.

FOURTH QUARTER

9:07: Carmelo Anthony had a putback dunk that cut the Clippers deficit to 84-80, but Jordan tipped in Eric Gordon’s missed basket and then rebounded Nene’s missed layup which led to a trey by Gordon which yet again pushed the lead up to nine.

In the final quarter alone, the Clippers hit four treys and grabbed eight offensive rebounds.

COULD MELO GO TO THE CLIPPERS: While the Clips have struggled in the win-loss column this season they are a very exciting young team, as they showed last night to the Nuggets and in front Carmelo Anthony’s wife LaLa (who happens to live in Los Angeles). A duo of Griffin and Anthony could be arguable the best duo in the League, not to mention adding in Gordon would make it a top, young trio.

Los Angeles also has the biggest trading chip that would interest the Nuggets, the rights to Minnesota’s pick (which is top 10 protected in 2011 and unprotected in 2012).

An offer of rookie Al Farouq Aminu, Chris Kaman and a pair of picks (Minnesota as one) for Anthony would be enticing. Another interested proposition would be Gordon, Chris Kaman, Aminu and a pick for Anthony and Arron Afflalo. Afflalo is a former UCLA star and could thrive in those surroundings. But it is unlikely the Clippers will give up Gordon.

The only downfall is the Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who has had numerous run-ins with Clippers players.

Again enticing for everybody around, but would Melo really want to play for Sterling?

NOTES: Gary Forbes’ contract is fully guaranteed for the season, which is a no-brainer the way the non-traditional rookie is playing. Forbes is averaging 5.7 points and is shooting .476 from the field.

Martin won’t play tonight against the Sacramento Kings, which means Shelden Williams, who didn’t play last night, will slide into the starting slot.

Also, Ken Berger is reporting that the Nuggets, Nets are talking again about a Melo trade. But the question remains were they ever not talking? And will Anthony really sign the extension with the Nets?