Three Players the Denver Nuggets Could Target With Their 1st-Round Pick

In the recent four team trade, the Denver Nuggets acquired a first round pick from Houston. Nugg Love showcases three draft prospects that could be drafted here.

After trading Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez and Jarred Vanderbilt to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a four-team trade including the Rockets, Hawks, Wolves and the Denver Nuggets, who acquired a 2020 first-round pick from Houston, in addition to Jordan McRae, Keita Bates-Diop, and Noah Vonleh.

The Nuggets were likely headed into this off-season without a first-round pick, as they traded their own 2020 first-round pick with a top-10 protection in the deal for Jerami Grant.

With Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee set to become unrestricted free agents this off-season, and Torrey Craig set to become a restricted free agent, the Nuggets rotation could look drastically different next season.

The Rockets are currently fifth in the Western Conference with an overall record of 33-19. With the ninth easiest remaining schedule, the Nuggets’ newly acquired first-round pick will likely end up between picks 22-25.

Here are three players the Nuggets could target with the pick.

Paul Reed, Forward, DePaul

The energetic 6-foot-9 junior is averaging 15.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, which is tenth in the nation.

Reed has a high motor, loves to run in transition and is extremely active on the offensive glass, as he averages 3.1 offensive rebounds per game. Although the Nuggets are already third in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game, Reed could contribute to a Nuggets team currently sitting at 17th in total rebounds per game.

Defensively, Reed is a ball hawk as he is the only player in the country that averages at least 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. Reed would be a great defensive fit alongside Nikola Jokic, as Reed could play a Paul Millsap-esque role next to the Serbian big-man.

One knock on Reed is his shooting touch. This season, on two attempts per game, Reed is shooting just 28% from downtown. Reed is already an outstanding cutter, has a soft touch around the basket and can finish through contact, if Reed can develop a consistent jump shot, he could provide valuable minutes for this Denver squad.

Jordan Nwora, Forward, Louisville

Nwora is a 6-foot-7 junior with an incredible shooting touch and ability to create his own offense. He is 41st in the nation in scoring, averaging 19.5 point per game for the number five team in the country.

Nwora is shooting 44% from deep on six attempts per game this season. He would be a key contributor off the bench for a team who just traded away Malik Beasley, who averaged 7.9 points per game in 18.2 minutes off the bench for the Nuggets.

He’s great at moving without the ball and for someone who converts on 62% of his shots at the rim, Nwora would fit well with the unselfish play of the Nuggets because he does not need the ball in his hands to be a threat offensively.

Nwora is a bit of a tweener when it comes to his position, his average wingspan prevents him from being a great on-ball defender and his overall athleticism leaves something to be desired. That being said, there is certainly a role Nwora can find with the Denver Nuggets.

Udoka Azubike, Center, Kansas

The Nuggets may look to fill the backup center position with some youth as Mason Plumlee will turn 30 this offseason and could leave as an unrestricted free agent.

Azubike is in his final season as a Jayhawk and he currently leads the country in field goal percentage by a wide margin, converting a ridiculous 76% of his field goals.

He can also anchor a defense (averages 2.6 blocks per game this season) with his massive 7-foot-5 wingspan and quick instincts as a shot blocker.

Azubike does not provide much offense outside the paint, he is not a gifted passer like Jokic or Plumlee and it might prove difficult having Jokic and Azubike on the floor at the same time.

As the NBA moves away from traditional centers, Azubike and his skillset could become irrelevant before his career takes off, but if he grows his offensive skillset, Azubike could provide valuable minutes for the Denver Nuggets in limited minutes behind Jokic.