Nugg Love
Fansided

Nuggets NBA Draft Guide

By Matan Halzel

Sep 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly answers questions during a press conference during the media day at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly answers questions during a press conference during the media day at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Apr 7, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone in the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone in the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2nd Round Picks (No. 49 & No. 51)

Though most of you will have probably changed the channel by these picks, if there’s one thing Denver Nuggets fans have learned from recent years, it’s don’t sleep on those second round picks. Our budding star, Nikola Jokic can tell you all about that. Rather than diagnosing a need in these spots, the Nuggets front office has a tendency to draft to players with potential high upside and players who play overseas. On that note, here are a couple of players rumored to be on the Nuggets scouting department’s radar.

Jaron Blossomgame (SF), Clemson

Though he is already 24, the 6’7 wingman out of the ACC has tremendous offensive abilities and emerged as a better scorer and overall player at Clemson each year in his collegiate career. If there is one knock against Blossomgame, it is his defense, but this late in the draft it is easily worth a gamble for the Nuggets with the size and athleticism that Blossomgame possesses. Blossomgame could eventually be a 3 & 4 hybrid, and if he can develop a more consistent jumpshot, he could be a legitimate offensive weapon in the NBA.

Sterling Brown (SF), SMU

Basketball is in Sterling’s blood, as he is the younger brother of the always-entertaining, Shannon Brown. Unlike Blossomgame, Brown is a pure shooter from all around the court. The 22 year-old has the 3 and D wing potential with a 225-pound frame and a lengthy wingspan. He fits the Nuggets drafting agenda from last year’s draft class so it’s entirely possible they stay true to that formula with one of these two picks. The upside for Brown is sky high if his game translates from SMU to the NBA seamlessly.

Mathias Lessort (PF), International

Lessort fits the formula for the Nuggets finding under-the-radar talent overseas as he has been an absolute monster in multiple leagues. Lessort plays with a motor similar to Kenneth Faried’s, and he will most likely play at the PF position in the NBA. Lessort will almost certainly be selected in this draft due to his constant level of intensity on both ends of the court and his surprisingly soft touch around the rim. He also has surprisingly great speed for his size. The 21 year-old would not be a draft and stash player, he would come over right away and fight for playing time in a pretty tight Nuggets frontcourt. Lessort stands at 6’9 and 250 pounds, and would have plenty of time to develop.

Must Read: Nugg Love official mock draft 2017

Other Potential Picks: V.J. Beachum, Tyler Dorsey, Ivan Rabb, Tyler Lydon