Denver Nuggets: 3 Reasons That We Had The Best Draft

#1: They got an elite scorer

Jamal Murray is an absolute stud. According to Nuggets GM Tim Connelly, he was No.3 on their list behind Simmons and Ingram.

“We contemplated trading up to get Jamal,” Connelly continued. The fact that they got the guy they wanted at No.3 at No. 7 speaks for itself.  That makes it the second consecutive year that the Nuggets got the guy they wanted at No.7, last year being Emmanuel Mudiay. This time, it was the 6’5″ sharpshooter from the University of Kentucky.

Let’s just say Mudiay was happy with the pick.

Jamal Murray is an elite scorer and perhaps has the highest potential as a pure scorer out of anyone in the 2016 draft. Murray, who is just 19 years old, finished his freshman year with averages of 20.0 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 40.8% from behind the arc. The last freshman to be drafted by the Nuggets in the first round went by the name of Carmelo Anthony. Murray has a great handle and can get to the basket in a variety of different ways and often uses a floater to finish. But what makes Murray so special is his ability to light it up from deep. Murray finished the season with 113 made 3-pointers, which was second in NCAA history for a freshman only behind Stephen Curry who made 122 for Davidson in 2007.

Many people have regarded Buddy Hield as the best shooter in this draft, but they fail to realize that Jamal Murray is three years younger and has much more room to grow. Murray also has better ball handling and is quicker than Hield. It is certain that in a few years the New Orleans Pelicans will regret taking Buddy Hield instead of Jamal Murray.

Watch him light up the Gators:

The Nuggets struck gold with their first selection. They were willing to trade up for Murray, but they didn’t even have to. A tremendous scorer with sky-high potential fell into their lap at No. 7.

Next: Biggest Steal of the Draft