Denver Nuggets: Who to avoid at 30 in the 2022 NBA Draft

The Denver Nuggets should avoid Bryce McGowens at 30 in the 2022 NBA Draft

Bryce McGowens is one of the more enticing prospects in the draft, particularly towards the end of the first round or early in the second. Mostly because he’s a 6’7”, 180-pound 19-year-old with the potential to become one of the premier two-way players in the association.

Unlike Toledo guard, Ryan Rollins, Bryce McGowens has remarkable length and size for the shooting guard position, which makes him more of a threat on the defensive end of the court. While this might seem like an exciting choice for the Denver Nuggets, McGowens feels to be better suited for a team prioritizing the long-term rather than the immediate success of the franchise.

Despite being an athletic, quick-footed wing player who’s coming off a season at Nebraska in which he averaged over 16 points per game with .403/.274/.831 shooting splits. Many regard him as more of a raw and unpolished project.

Now, to be fair, drafting McGowens would make more sense than the two previous prospects I mentioned. Since his skill set at least fits what the Denver Nuggets need most; an athletic two-way player that can score and defend from all three levels on the court. I also believe that he can certainly carve out a nice role with some team in the NBA, just not with the Nuggets.

Not only will he need time to develop before he can reliably be thrust into an NBA rotation but he’s also far from an efficient shooter in the mid-long range game. Which wouldn’t provide Denver’s playmakers with anything that they don‘t already have.

The truth is that the Denver Nuggets are considered to be one or two pieces away from seriously contending for an NBA championship. If this is the case, then drafting a player based on potential and upside rather than experience and production makes little to no sense at all.