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2020 NBA Draft: Pelicans trade R.J. Hampton to Nuggets

By Quenton S. Albertie

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 20: RJ Hampton of the Breakers during warm up prior to the round three NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Sydney Kings at Spark Arena on October 20, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 20: RJ Hampton of the Breakers during warm up prior to the round three NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Sydney Kings at Spark Arena on October 20, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Nuggets are no stranger to draft night surprises, adding 2020 NBA Draft prospect R.J. Hampton in the first round.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the New Orleans Pelicans have traded former New Zealand Breakers point guard R.J. Hampton to the Denver Nuggets after selecting him with the 24th overall pick.

A future first-round pick will be sent to the Pelicans in return.

Perhaps it was compensation for not trading Jrue Holiday to them but New Orleans did Denver a solid by giving them Hampton.

At 19-years-old, he still needs to develop in a couple of major areas but that should be fine for a Nuggets team that isn’t banking on their rookie picks to contribute right away.

Currently, his primary weaknesses are his perimeter shooting (he shot 29.4% from 3-point range in 2019-20) and his defensive awareness but he could also stand to add muscle to his slight frame at 6’5″ to improve his ability getting through screens and guarding larger or stronger perimeter players.

Nonetheless, Hampton is a speed demon that can be a terror in transition, much like new teammate Zeke Nnaji (who the Nuggets drafted with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft).

He also has shown solid passing instincts, a respectable pull-up jumper from the midrange, and crafty finishes in the paint. It wouldn’t be unfair to say he’s similar a young Russell Westbrook when factoring in his scoring mentality and ability to break down defenders off the dribble.

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Although backup point guard Monte Morris remains on the roster, he’ll be a unrestricted free agent in 2021 if he and Denver fail to reach an extension. A year on the sidelines and practicing in the G League could be all Hampton needs.