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Worst NBA Draft Mistakes in Denver Nuggets History

By Nathan Beighle

Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone looks on in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone looks on in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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#1- 1998 NBA Draft- Raef LaFrentz– Drafted #3

WOW, it is crazy to think how much talent that Denver passed up on for LaFrentz. LaFrentz overall turned into a solid NBA PF/C. He led the Western Conference in blocks one year with 3.0 per game. That season, which was his professional best, he averaged 14.9 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, and 3.0 blocks per game. But… they passed on:

Vince Carter, Dirk Nowtizki, Paul Pierce, and Antawn Jamison

All these players turned into incredible NBA veterans. Where do we begin?

The Nuggets passed up on Vince Carter whose best season consisted of 27.6 points per game. He eclipsed a 20 point average 10 times. Carter is an 8X All-Star and highly regarded for his dunking ability. He was drafted #5.

Dirk, who revolutionized international basketball, has his best season in 05-06 when he averaged 26.6 points per game. WOW, Dirk eclipsed a 20 point average in 13 seasons. That is INCREDIBLE. This German is a 13X All-Star, 12X All-NBA team member, and was the NBA’s MVP in 2007. In addition to these, he also has set several franchise and NBA records during his NBA tenure.

Pierce, who was a long time Boston Celtic, averaged over 15 points per game in 15 season and set multiple records for the Boston franchise where he was able to capture a championship in 2008.

Needless to say, Denver could have done WAY better with this pick.

must read: Top 5 Routes for the Denver Nuggets This Offseason

The Denver Nuggets will look to rebuild this year in the draft, and hopefully they do not follow their predecessors. If picked correctly, these seven picks could have completely altered the Denver Nuggets franchise. Best of luck to the Nuggets this year.

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