Nuggets: 2019 NBA draft
DeAndre Hunter will likely be a great player and would play well on the Denver Nuggets
As all Denver Nugget fans know, the NBA draft is right around the corner.
Even though the Denver Nuggets do not own a first-round pick, the Nuggets can potentially trade players for first round picks owned by other NBA teams.
One highly desirable targets in the 2019 NBA draft for the Nuggets is Virginia Cavaliers small forward De’Andre Hunter.
Hunter played . His accolades as a high school player and college player are impressive.
What is most impressive about Hunter is his growth as a player over the past two season. Coming out of high school, he was ranked as the 72nd overall recruit and 14th at the best small forward position. Over his two college seasons, he was selected as an ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2019) and ACC Sixth Man of the Year (2018). And he is currently projected to go as high as the fourth overall pick. His growth is impressive and rare for any collegiate player.
Hunter was the best player on the Cavaliers and propel them to a NCAA championship this year. He was maybe the best player in 2019 March Madness tournament.
As an NBA player, he will likely be a great two-way player and three-point shooter. This is precisely the type of player the Nuggets need to improve their roster.
He is often compared by many analysts to Raptors small forward OG Anunoby. Anunoby provides consistent scoring off the bench for the Raptors. This is also something the Raptors desperately need. However, some analyst thinks he can be as good as Kawhi Leonard. Either way, he could be a valuable player for the Nuggets.
In the 2019 draft, there is no guarantee that Hunter will go as the fourth overall pick. However, he will likely go somewhere between the 7th and 4th pick in the draft. The Lakers, Cavaliers, Suns, and Bulls own the 7th through the 4th pick in the 2019 NBA draft. These teams need veteran players, and they made be willing to entertain a trade with the Nuggets.
The Nuggets made be willing to trade Trey Lyles, Mason Plumlee, or Will Barton for Hunter. Trading Barton and Plumlee would relieve some cap space for the Nuggets. Also, Hunter has the potential to be a better player than all three players.
However, these trades are still unlikely.