Nuggets own 34th pick in NBA Draft
by Nate Timmons on Jun 23, 2009 10:53 AM MDT
in News and Opinion
7 comments
The Nuggets traded out of the 1st Round of the upcoming NBA draft when they acquired Johan Petro during the season for Chucky Atkins and their pick.
Currently as it has been discussed on this blog ... the Nuggets own a second-round pick, 34th overall, which it appears they are still undecided about using.
"It's always in the air, what you're going to do," (Mark) Warkentien said Friday. "Would you call? Well, it depends on who's betting. It depends on what hand shows up as we go through the draft process. And you're weighing the value of the different assets. If somebody comes in and says, 'We'll give you this for it,' if you like that asset better, then you move. Or you may take this asset and try to move up. It's a very fluid deal."
But if the Nuggets do decide to use the pick, it's sounding more and more like they will select a guard or a swingman and not a power forward like ESPN's Chad Ford suggested in his latest mock draft.
... the organization hosted a group of 12 players, mostly guards, in the first of at least two rounds of workouts that could yield a player worthy of a selection. -Denver Post
But who are these 12 players? Well, the Denver Post only named one guy of the bunch ... UCONN senior point guard A.J. Price (6'2'' 181 lbs.)
Price's stats: 31 minutes per game, 14.7 points on 40.8% shooting, 72% from the charity stripe, 40.2% from 3-point land, and 4.7 assists per game.
Price's comments to the Denver Post about possibly playing for the Nuggets and learning from Chauncey Billups:
"For me, just come out, make shots, show that I can run the club and just take control," said Connecticut guard A.J. Price, who worked out Friday morning. "I would love to have the opportunity to come here and learn from one of the best point guards in the game in Chauncey Billups, and with a good team on top of that."
But as to who else the Nuggets brought in ... check out Andrew's Draft Previews from Denver Stiffs. Some great work and a look at the Nuggets drafting history.
Denver Stiffs:
A quick snippet:
For last year's NBA Draft Preview in which the Nuggets were set to draft 20th overall (their first first round pick since 2005), I set forth a detailed set of rules for drafting late in the first round for the Nuggets to adhere to. All that work and research went to waste when the Nuggets jettisoned their first round pick to the Bobcats for a future first rounder.
A quick snippet:
According to HoopsWorld.com and NBA.com, the Nuggets - along with a host of other NBA teams - worked out 21 college and foreign players from June 1-3 in Oakland. Among those who worked out for the Nuggets, the following players of note could be available when the Nuggets draft 34th on Thursday night (note that when I say "could be available," I'm basing this off of the mock drafts according to ESPN.com, DraftExpress.com, NBADraft.net and HoopsWorld.com)...
Nick Calathes - Guard, Florida
Omri Casspi - Forward, Maccabi Tel Aviv
Dionte Christmas - Shooting Guard, Temple
Darren Collison - Point Guard, UCLA
Wayne Ellington - Shooting Guard, UNC
Taj Gibson - Forward, Arizona
Eric Maynor - Point Guard, VCU
Patrick Mills - Point Guard, St. Mary's
A.J. Price - Point Guard, UConn
DaJuan Summers - Forward, Georgetown
Marcus Thornton - Shooting Guard, LSU
I would like to see the Nuggets use their pick, as they haven't really been stock piling youthful talent on the bench through the draft in recent years. Also as it has been discussed on this blog ... the Nuggets need to find a young point guard to groom either as the backup or the heir apparent to Chauncey Billups.
With the NBA draft just two days away, the Nuggets plans will soon be unfolded.
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Use it!
I don’t expect the Nuggets to solve the PG problem in this draft, but #34 might produce a good player and fill a roster spot for cheap. Mills would be great. I like Collison more than AJ Price, don;t know if either would even get to play next year though. Would be nice to see the Nugs get an international player or a Senior with some solid experience. But you never know, K-Mart is a college graduate and still acts like an idiot
by runningdonut on Jun 23, 2009 3:31 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I'd like to see Denver use it as well ...
If the Nuggets do their homework they should be able to grab a player that can contribute a little bit next season and eventually become a solid bench guy or even a starter if they get a little lucky.
This is being called a weak draft, but there are a lot of point guards and some experienced big men that could be had. Basically the 34th pick is as good as a late first round pick and the best part is that it doesn’t require all the guaranteed money of the first round late pick variety.
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Jun 23, 2009 4:09 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
PLEASE
draft Pat Mills! If the Nuggets had an Aussie I would absolutely flip the hell out.
by joshhopp on Jun 23, 2009 5:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
The more I read about Mills the easier it is to like what he brings.
I hear he’s a great floor leader, lightening quick (a la Tony Parker), and can score in the lane.
Sounds like a pretty nice steal at 34 if he makes it that far.
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Jun 24, 2009 9:46 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Draft
Out of the list of people that worked out i would like to see eric maynor on the team the most, followed by mills, then collison…however, i think rodrigue beaubois should be among the point guard consideration
by bodmiesta on Jun 23, 2009 8:12 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
JENNINGS....
The new buzz is that this kid is slipping to about 22. How bout the nugs trade up and snag this kid late first round. Hes got the pro swagger that would fit right in off the bench with JR, that would make them better off the bench, a liability on defense of course, but a better team
Melooooooo
by Mr.Clutch15 on Jun 25, 2009 11:09 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Nuggets get Lawson for Charlotte's 2010 pick!
Fuck yeah.
by runningdonut on Jun 25, 2009 7:28 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
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