The Denver Nuggets' offseason mode continues, and it's time to start preparing for the NBA draft. That means mock drafts and speculation on who the Nuggets might have circled to watch with their 26th pick.
The Nuggets are looking for athleticism, ball handling, and defense on the perimeter and at the rim. Nikola Jokic needs help in the paint, and they also need a backup point guard to solve the gap behind Jamal Murray. The latest mock draft choices address some of those concerns.
So far, the Nuggets are looking to follow up on those concerns by having interviewed Zuby Ejiofor from St. John's after the draft combine. But who else could the Nuggets be targeting?
Bennett Stirtz, Guard, Sr., Iowa
Bennett Stirtz is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard from Iowa. He'll be 23 next season, he's played four years of college ball, and he's backup-guard ready. Stirtz is coming off a fantastic NCAA Tournament run, having led Iowa to the Elite Eight, and he showcased why the Nuggets would want to target him if he's still on the board at 26. Stirtz is who "The Athletic" has the Nuggets taking with their first round pick.
Over the course of the four tournament games played, Stirtz only committed three turnovers while playing all 40 minutes of each game. The Nuggets want to upgrade ball control, and Stirtz would do that while also adding solid scoring and good defense. Stirtz averaged 21.5 points from Feb. 1st onward, and he averaged 1.4 steals this year and 2.1 steals last year while at Drake.
Morez Johnson, Forward, So., Michigan
Morez Johnson is a 6-foot-9, 260-pound force on defense, and that's why the Nuggets are going to be circling his name to watch as they approach draft night.
A member of the National Championship-winning Michigan Wolverines, Johnson may have been the team's best defender, and he'd instantly provide depth for the Nuggets' bench behind Aaron Gordon, or in place of Gordon if he's injured. Johnson checked in at 26th courtesy of the mock draft from "The Ringer."
Johnson can handle the switch on the perimeter and in the paint, and he's similar to Gordon in that he's a tough boulder to move and post up. He's a good rim protector, and he blocked 1.1 shots per game in 25.1 minutes for Michigan. Exactly what the Nuggets need.
Johnson is also an efficient scorer, averaging 13.1 points on 62.3% shooting, and he was 78.2% from the free-throw line. He can also rebound well, snagging 7.3 boards.
Here's to hoping the pick works out
The Nuggets need their first-round pick to work out. DaRon Holmes didn't get any solid playing time except for when Jokic was out with a knee injury. And Julian Strawther hasn't been able to crack the rotation, nor did he see any meaningful playoff minutes.
Johnson and Stirtz both look great, and both would fit what the Nuggets need. We'll find out what the Nuggets do on June 23rd when the draft takes place in Brooklyn.
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