Nuggets draft update: May trade up to get their guy (Point Guard)
by Nate Timmons on Jun 25, 2009 4:27 PM MDT
in Denver Nuggets: News and Opinion
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PrintWhat: NBA DRAFT
When: Tonight, 5 p.m. MTN - ESPN
Picks: Nuggets have the 34th overall pick (4th pick in the 2nd Round)
While I was stuck in traffic on I-25 Southbound yesterday ... I got to catch a lengthy interview with the NBA's Executive of the Year Mark Warkentien of the Denver Nuggets.
Wark was a guest on 104.3 FM with the Sports Guys Mike and Sandy. The interview focused primarily on points guards and what the Nuggets might do if their guy is still on the board in the late first round.
Follow the jump to find out more on what the Nuggets may do tonight ...
First off ... I lost my first draft of this with an unfortunate misfire of a key stroke ... I'm trying my best not to put my head through a wall at the moment ... so bear with me.
The funniest part of the interview occured when Wark was asked about the NBA potential of Hasheem Thabeet. To paraphrase ... Have you ever been in a bar around midnight or 1 a.m.? You ever drink (someone) pretty? Well, when you wake up Friday morning from a long Thursday night you want to be proud of what you have.
Safe to say that the Nuggets front office is not high on the 7'3'' UCONN project.
The meat of what Wark had to say about the Nuggets draft:
To paraphrase his poker reference:
If we feel we have a hand to play then we are going to play it. If not ...
If our guy is there ... at say ... ... ... ... 26 then we'll trade up to get him ...
I was very surprised to hear Wark say that the Nuggets are entertaining trading up and maybe even trading up into the first-round to get their guy. Don't get it twisted ... the Nuggets have identified a player or two who they want badly enough that they'll dip into the first-round (where guaranteed contracts happen) to get him.
Wark cited the age of Denver's current point guards and noted that it'd be nice to have a young guy in the mix with the veterans who remain. (Billups 33, Anthony Carter 34, Jason Hart 31 and will be 32 next April).
We all know that Billups will be back, so if Denver finds their guy in the draft tonight, I think we can officially say goodbye to either Carter or Hart (most likely Hart).
Let's take a look at Chad Ford's latest Mock Draft Version 7.1 and see where the point guards may fall tonight:
Where the point guards may wind up tonight in the Draft:3.) Ricky Rubio (Thunder)
4.) Stephen Curry (Kings)*
6.) Jonny Flynn (Timberwolves)
10.) Brandon Jennings (Bucks)
13.) Jrue Holiday (Pacers)
17.) Eric Maynor (76'ers)
19.) Ty Lawson (Hawks)
24.) Jeff Teague (Mavericks)
26.) Nick Calathes (Bulls)
31.) Darren Collison (Kings)*
34.) NUGGETS
36.) Patrick Mills (Grizzlies)
42.) Rodrigue Beaubois (Lakers)
44.) Nando De Colo (Pistons)
* If the Kings select Curry with the #4 pick, no way they take another PG later in Collison.
There are plenty of teams above that don't have the point guard spot as their number one concern. The Pacers (T.J. Ford), 76'ers (free agent Andre Miller), and Hawks (free agent Mike Bibby and newly acquired Jamal Crawford (SG)) all come to mind as teams that may pass up point guards in favor of other positions.
The Nuggets could get a steal in this draft if they play their cards right (Wark's poker references are catchy!). I could see Denver perhaps making a play for five guys at the point guard spot.
The unrealistic options:
Eric Maynor and Ty Lawson. They may be too rich for Denver's blood, as the Nuggets would have to crack the top 15-20 range to get them ... not exactly the 26th spot that Wark mentioned, but he is a poker player and likes to bluff.
The somewhat realistic option:
Jeff Teague. With the depth in this draft at the point guard spot Teague may find himself the odd man out until the Mavericks select at the 24 spot. Dallas is supposidly in love with Teague and wont pass him up at 24.
So, for Denver to get Teague they'll probably have to trade up to the 22nd or 23rd pick to get ahead of Dallas. Portland actually switched spots with Dallas in a trade earlier in the week to get to 22 ... so the Nuggets would have to work a deal with the Kings to secure the 23rd pick if Teague falls that far.
The realistic potential targets:
Darren Collison and Patrick Mills. Denver may get lucky enough to have one of these guys fall to them at 34 ... or maybe both of them. But if Denver really wants Collison then they may have to move into the first round to secure him.
In some earlier mock drafts Chad Ford had the Lakers taking Collison at 29 to help subbplant the aging Derek Fisher, the inconsistent Jordan Farmar, and restricted free agent Shannon Brown. If L.A.'s following Ford's gameplan then they are selecting combo guard Toney Douglas out of Florida State (6'2'' 183 lbs.)
Douglas is of the same mold as Shannon Brown and if the Lakers take a poing guard or Douglas then they may be waving goodbye to Brown. Ford also points out that his confidence level is 50% for the Lakers taking Douglas as they have been trying to trade their pick ... maybe Denver can grab this pick and secure their guy.**
During Warkentien's interview he did give the depressing side as well ... Denver may trade the pick and miss the draft entirely. Denver's front office believes that talent can be found in the NBADL where they have had some success with Dahntay Jones and to a lesser extent Von Wafer. I'd much rather see the Nuggets be players in this draft, but I understand that they are focused on a limited amount of targets.
Stay tuned to this saga as I'll be updating where the Nuggets stand as the day goes on!
I love the offseason and the DRAFT!
UPDATES:
**The New York Knicks have acquired the 29th pick in the draft from the Los Angeles Lakers for $3 million, according to Blogabull.com.
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I'd be happy
If the Nuggets could nab Collison or Mills at 34, or maybe trade up into the late first round to get one of them. I don’t know much about Teague or Calathes, but I think Ty Lawson would be an OK fit on the team.
I’m mostly pulling for mills – I think he’ll be a player in this league, and he could likely be available without having to trade up and/or recieve the guaranteed salary of a 1st round pick.
P.S.
Because of the guaranteed salary, I don’t think the Nuggets will trade up into the first round unless they are able to dump Steven Hunter’s contract.
by Missing Lynx on Jun 25, 2009 3:41 PM MDT up reply actions
It was crazy to hear Warkentien talk about moving up into the first round ...
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by Nate Timmons on Jun 25, 2009 3:45 PM MDT up reply actions
Don't settle
I watched my Rockies make the World Series and sit idle the following offseason thinking they would be fine with the team assembled. If you follow the Rockies you’ll know the year after they made the World Series they won only 74 games.
The Nuggets are in a similar, albeit, slightly different situation. I would hate to see this team rest on its laurels knowing how close they are to greatness.
With all the other contenders getting better, or at the very least trying to get better, the Nuggets cannot sit by the wayside this offseason and hope to be the contenders they were last year. They must improve their roster or we could possibly see them fall into that 4,5,6 seed playoff range and that is not setting yourself up for success.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we must do something drastic in this year’s draft. I don’t think that at all. We do, however, need to make a splash and improve our roster this offseason and I think with the recent activity by some contenders the front office will see that.
Good call!
I think the Nuggets realize they have to fortify their bench and hopefully they will do so.
What would you like to see them do? Or what players do you think should come in (or positions?)
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by Nate Timmons on Jun 25, 2009 3:50 PM MDT up reply actions
Very happy with Lawson
Would love to see a serious run for Rasheed Wallace.
by Business Socks on Jun 25, 2009 10:15 PM MDT up reply actions
Calathes could be interesting
but I seriously doubt he falls to 34. The guy I’m really pulling for is Patty Mills. Very intriguing player. At the end of the day, I really just hope the Nuggets participate in the draft. Watching them sit idly by year after year is getting really old.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! HOW can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
Agreed
I want to see them take mills, but frankly any young point guard or big man with potential that the Nuggets can nab up would be a good decision. Even if they don’t pan out, I think its important to make some investments in young talent to be groomed for the future.
Billups and Martin are starting to show their age, and AC and Birdman aren’t exactly spring chickens either.
I buy into the whole “get a young PG to groom behind a successful starter”, as is done with QB’s in the NFL. I can’t remember who was talking about that earlier last season, maybe Nate or Jeremy over at Roundball MC.
by Missing Lynx on Jun 25, 2009 5:14 PM MDT up reply actions
Ty Lawson to the Nugs...
I like this!
The Ralphie Report - Go Buffs!...All Colorado Buffaloes on SBNation - http://www.ralphiereport.com/
Irish
Why you gotta scoop me? For once, I think I have something that isn’t on the internets yet, and here you come and big-time me.
/tear
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! HOW can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
by A.J. Haefele on Jun 25, 2009 7:22 PM MDT up reply actions
TY LAWSON
This is AWESOME.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! HOW can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
I dunno about being that good
but I think he’s going to be a monumental upgrade from Anthony Carter.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! HOW can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
by A.J. Haefele on Jun 25, 2009 7:23 PM MDT up reply actions
Really where did you hear Ty Lawson to the Nuggs?
This is awesome!!! What a perfect PG for CB7 to mentor…
Im just surprised
that a team from our division just helped us shore up a glaring weakness like that.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! HOW can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
by A.J. Haefele on Jun 25, 2009 7:29 PM MDT up reply actions
Karl likes AC a lot, I bet he'll stay as a Defensive specialist...
It’s probably lights out for Jason Hart though
I realize the cost
could be a high first round pick someday, but it’s a pretty shrewd move in my opinion. Lawson’s defense could be a bit of an issue, but boy does he know how to run the floor and create some offense.
And for me, I do hope AC’s days in Denver are over. I’m not a big fan of playing 4-on-5 basketball.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! HOW can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
by A.J. Haefele on Jun 25, 2009 7:35 PM MDT up reply actions
I wanna see up pick up a PF/C with the 34th pick
BJ Mullens would be a nice project, or Pendergraph at PF
I'm surprised Mullens is still around
He’s the exact kind of prospect that always gets scooped up because teams are always in love with big men with ANY talent. I mean, good lord, Kris Humphries was a first round pick once upon a time. That being said, I’d be pretty excited to see Mullens land in Denver, but I have this weird feeling we’re not using that 34th pick.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! HOW can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
by A.J. Haefele on Jun 25, 2009 7:37 PM MDT up reply actions
I agree
I don’t see any need to pick up pay a rookie at the 34th pick. not in this draft and in this economy
I'm not opposed to using it
I think if we used it on a guy like Meeks or Chase Budinger to give Sonny Weems a little competition for his roster spot, I would be fine with that. I’m not a big fan of Weems, but I love a guy like Budinger.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! HOW can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
by A.J. Haefele on Jun 25, 2009 7:43 PM MDT up reply actions
As stated above
I like the idea of a Meeks or Budinger, but if we want to add a little size inside guys like Derrick Brown, Taj Gibson, and Jon Brockman would be welcome additions in my mind.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! HOW can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
by A.J. Haefele on Jun 25, 2009 7:44 PM MDT up reply actions
I'd like to see the front court get a little more attention...
The Lakers really exposed the lack of size we have on the front court (Having Bynum and Gasol will do that)
Dejuan Blair must have had terrible BO in all his workouts
Pretty sure teh Bulls will take him here tho
Seems like
WE prob draft pendergraph or trade our pick and cash for lyk blair since hes falling…. SINCE WE ALREADY GOT TY LAWSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sam Young would be nice
if we could somehow wrangle him out of someone’s hands. he would be great backing up melo
What do you think Karly thinks about this?
I wonder how much input he had in this trade, and what he thinks about Ty as a player and a person.
I know he likes NC guys, but he also doesn’t trust rookies.
This should be interesting.
he loves it
"If people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences". W. I. Thomas
Law isn't like most rookies
George doesn’t like them for a reason, but that doesn’t really apply with Law. And we really needed a PG to take pressure off Chauncy.
"If people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences". W. I. Thomas
He better like it
Ty played 4 years in college, won an NCAA championship, won the Bob Cousy award for best college PG.
The Nugs haven’t had a draft pick of his caliber since Melo
by runningdonut on Jun 25, 2009 8:21 PM MDT up reply actions
let's hope
that the this trade becomes another in a long line of terrible decisions by minnesota timberwolves HQ
i heard about him
i read on hoopsworld today that we were gunna draft lull, guess they were right…. he looks decent lyk a very cheap ricky rubio…. but does he play this year or stay in spain?
Sergio Lull
PG from Spain who will be stashed over there and won’t have to be paid.
Mills was a better pick, blah
by runningdonut on Jun 25, 2009 8:47 PM MDT up reply actions
I would have liked Blair
but I’m not at all surprised by them taking a European cat and stashing him away to see if he ever develops into anything. To me, it’s just like passing on the pick entirely.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! HOW can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
by A.J. Haefele on Jun 25, 2009 8:49 PM MDT up reply actions
Every team passed him up, some twice
Something is messed up with his health. I don;t get it other than they know something everyone else doesn’t.
by runningdonut on Jun 25, 2009 8:49 PM MDT up reply actions
im overseas so its difficult for me to follow usa college ball
but it just seemed like blair was everyone’s darling this draft. he looked to me like reggie evans with scoring ability. everyone loved his attitude etc. so surprised that it was just all talk
Agreed.
And now San Antonio got blair. Fuck. He is a perfect fit for them. Fuck.
by Missing Lynx on Jun 25, 2009 8:54 PM MDT up reply actions
memphis got sam young
they have some scoring now and if thabeet lives up to his hype they could be good in a few years
Ugh
This now ensures that the Spurs got the better side of the Jefferson trade.
by Missing Lynx on Jun 25, 2009 8:55 PM MDT up reply actions
i have this awful feeling
that the spurs have just done something that will cause people to get fired down the stretch in the next few years. they have a good record with drafting 2nd rounders
Yeah
I don’t know what to say. This reminds me of when Memphis nabbed up Darell Arthur last year.
Only Bair is going to San Antonio.
by Missing Lynx on Jun 25, 2009 8:59 PM MDT up reply actions
Blair would of been nice
But we must resign the Birdman, gulp Kleiza and figure out if Hunter is healthy or keep Petro..
Lawson
Im ecstatic about this pickup. GK is a Tar Heels guy. Lawson will be huge for the Nuggets as Chauncey has much to teach him. Plus we just traded that PG from Spain to Houston so I’m not to worried about our draft. We actually made out like bandits. Would have liked Blair tho but we probably needed the cash to keep Birdman.
If the cash helps keep Birdman
then it was a great move.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! HOW can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
by A.J. Haefele on Jun 25, 2009 9:23 PM MDT up reply actions
Great deal
I have heard from some other boards that we got 2.25 mill in the deal.
That is awesome for us
That should be enough to ensure we keep Birdman. If we do, I say good deal.
by Missing Lynx on Jun 25, 2009 9:47 PM MDT up reply actions
What a great trade!
Full write up coming tomorrow!
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