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Denver Nuggets: Three second-round targets for the Nuggets in the 2018 Draft

By Kevin Oestreicher

DURHAM, NC - JANUARY 13: Trevon Duval #1 of the Duke Blue Devils against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 89-71. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - JANUARY 13: Trevon Duval #1 of the Duke Blue Devils against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 89-71. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 17: Mark Tatum, NBA’s deputy commissioner, announces the Denver Nuggets as the #7 pick during the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 17: Mark Tatum, NBA’s deputy commissioner, announces the Denver Nuggets as the #7 pick during the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The  Denver Nuggets hold the 43rd and 58th overall selections in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft. What players could they target?

The second round of the NBA Draft can change the direction of a franchise. Many people tend to write off prospects selected in the second round, wanting to focus on the electrifying first-round prospects. However, the second round still produces many talented NBA players. These players might not be as NBA ready as their first round counterparts, but some of these players turn out to be diamonds in the rough.

Notable players drafted in the second round include Dennis Rodman, Draymond Green, Marc Gasol, Manu Ginóbli, and the Nuggets own Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic. Each one of these players has been instrumental to the teams they’ve played for, and became All-Star players despite being overlooked by most of the NBA.

There are multiple prospects who are projected to go in the second round of the 2018 draft who could become much more valuable than their draft position will indicate. Some of the players will be projects, while others will have more refined skills. Quality players could slip out of the first round and into the second round.

The Nuggets have a ton of depth, so they are able to take risks on players who might not be as NBA ready now, but with time to develop, could turn into superstars. That’s what happened with Nikola Jokic, and Denver has had success developing young talent. They can also afford to take draft and stash players, much like Jokic was in 2014. With the amount of depth Denver has, it is unlikely that three draft picks will make the opening night roster, meaning that Denver could use one or two of their picks on international players and stash them overseas for a few seasons.

With all of that in mind, here are three players who Denver could take in the 2018 draft that could help fit a need, while also having the raw potential to develop into a solid NBA player.