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Can the Denver Nuggets get a steal in the 2020 NBA Draft?

By Quenton S. Albertie

TALLAHASSEE, FL - FEBRUARY 15: Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange goes up for a lay-up against the Florida State Seminoles during the game at the Donald L. Tucker Center on February 15, 2020 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Syracuse 80 to 77. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - FEBRUARY 15: Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange goes up for a lay-up against the Florida State Seminoles during the game at the Donald L. Tucker Center on February 15, 2020 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Syracuse 80 to 77. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Elijah Hughes – Syracuse

Syracuse’s Elijah Hughes is another interesting option for Denver because of his ability to make plays off-the-dribble. At 6’6″ and 215 pounds, he’ll be able to play both wing positions.

Hughes averaged 19.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per game last season, shooting 42.7% from the field and 34.2% from beyond the arc. Transferring from East Carolina after his freshman season, Hughes has made steady improvement every year and has went from a player who was just seen as a spot-up scorer to a high-level scorer with improved quickness and strength.

While he’s a bit streaky from three-point range, he’s able to score from all three levels and has shown the ability to make tough shots from around the rim.

Defensively, Hughes is active and has quick hands but his ability to play man-to-man defense is a question, simply because Syracuse typically plays 2-3 zone. With the recent trend of NBA coaches employing zone defenses, this can be a positive. However, though he has the athletic tools to be a suitable individual defender, he’ll have to prove that he can make an impact on that end — or at least not be a liability — at the NBA level.

Hughes is actually reminiscent of Barton with his offensive skillset, which could come in handy with the latter’s injury history.