5 sleeper NBA Draft picks for the Denver Nuggets to target

The 2024 NBA draft is barely 24 hours away and it’s still clouded by uncertainty. Even at the top of the draft, there is virtually no consensus, so by the time the Nuggets pick at 28th overall, almost anything seems possible.

The team has been heavily connected to Dayton big-man DaRon Holmes for over a month now, with some even suggesting the Nuggets have made Holmes a promise, causing him to cancel his remaining workouts. But other NBA insiders have denied the Nuggets have made any such promise and even insisted that Holmes will be off the board long before Denver is even on the clock.

It feels like Holmes has been the focus forever and almost a foregone conclusion. He fills an obvious need as a backup center, but we should all expect the unexpected on draft day. If Holmes ends up being the pick, then great. But in case that’s not an option, let’s take a look at 5 under the radar prospects the Nuggets should target with the 28th pick on Wednesday night.

No. 5 - Tyler Kolek, Marquette

Kolek has become a bit underrated after an incredible career at Marquette. He would immediately fill a need as a backup point guard for the Nuggets, with a very high basketball IQ and true lead-guard skills.

He’s already polished and was arguably the best player in one of the best conferences in college basketball for several years. His veteran savvy (for a player in the draft) and fundamentals should make him someone that Michael Malone can trust immediately, which would be key for Denver.

His lack of size is a concern and he will need to improve on the defensive end and prove that he can play alongside Jamal Murray, but for a late first-round pick, Kolek would be an excellent pick up; one who could help the team right away and also has the upside to become a starter down the road.

No. 4 - Jaylon Tyson, California

The Nuggets have taken their share of off-guards and wings in the draft recently, but Tyson would bring a pretty different skillset than guys like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson. While those guys are mostly known for defense, athleticism, and hustle, Tyson is certainly no slouch on that end, but he can provide instant offense with the best of them.

Tyson was probably overtasked with being a lead creator at Cal and the result was inconsistent shooting and high turnovers. But in a smaller role, playing off guys like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Tyson could be an incredible secondary scorer and playmaker. 

While his shot wasn’t knockdown, he can get hot with the best of them and a healthier shot diet should lead to increased efficiency. He should be able to play alongside the stars, but also carry the offense for short spurts here and there.

He may never be a lockdown defender, but he has the size and versatility to make it work with a strong commitment. It feels like the floor for Tyson is a solid microwave scorer off the bench who can get into the lane at will.

Having the tools he does along with the size to get his shot off and also bully his way to the basket would be huge for the Nuggets. If he can cut out some of the sloppy play and improve his jumper, he’ll be an outstanding pro.

No. 3 - Baylor Scheierman, Creighton

If the Nuggets are looking for a guy to contribute right away, they should look no further than Scheierman. He’s already almost 24 years old, but he comes with heaps of experience and a great mind for the game. 

He’s a bit of an offensive savant and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He’s not the best athlete in the draft, but he’s a huge guard and one of the most skilled players out there. Scheierman can knock down shots from anywhere on the court, off the dribble or the catch.

He’s also a savvy cutter, a reliable ballhandler, and a good passer. It’s not hard at all to imagine the incredible connection that he could quickly build with Jokic. The two could make magic on the offensive end and he could unlock a whole new level for a team that is already elite on that end.

But that’s how good of an offensive player Scheierman is, and surrounding him with other great, like-minded players should only help bring out an even higher level. The big question for him will be his ability to defend at the NBA level. Despite a lack of quickness and athleticism, he was able to be passable in college so there is hope. If he can hold his own on that end, he’ll be a really good NBA player almost immediately.

No. 2 - Adem Bona, UCLA

If the Nuggets miss on Holmes but still want to attack the backup center position, Bona would be an excellent option. He has one of the highest motors in the draft and would bring an unbelievable amount of energy for the Nuggets off the bench.

He will battle for every rebound and loose ball and can turn into a monster down low on the defensive end, swatting shots left and right and rebounding everything in sight. The Nuggets haven’t had a spark like this off the bench in a while and it would be fun to see this type of change of pace whenever Jokic sits.

The big issue for Bona is his offensive game. He has no ability to stretch the floor at all, he’s a shaky free-throw shooter, and even around the basket, he’s shown limited touch. He needs to polish his ball skills in a big way, but there’s still hope he can at least be a good rim runner and lob threat - especially playing alongside good creators.

If Bona can improve with the ball and become a solid finisher around the hoop, everything else is already there. He would be a perfect backup big man for the Nuggets and should be able to earn that role almost instantly.

No. 1 - Ryan Dunn, Virginia

Saying that Dunn struggled to shoot the ball and make an impact on the offensive end would be putting it kindly, but he makes up for it on the defensive end and then some. He might be the best defensive player in the entire draft and with solid size on the wing he can viably guard every position on the floor. 

He has the potential and ability to be truly special on the defensive end from the word go and he would be an absolute pest coming off the Nuggets bench. Dunn already has an NBA body and his competitive edge and will to win will never be questioned.

Playing with someone like Jokic should really bring out the best in Dunn on the offensive end as he can screen and cut and should make himself useful with pure hustle and energy. Again, the big question mark is shooting, but he has looked solid in some pre-draft workouts.

If he can become a serviceable shooter and at least someone the defense has to respect, he can be a good starter for a long time. His ceiling is unlimited on the defensive end and if he can stay on the court on the offensive end, he will likely be on All-Defense teams in short order.