Editor’s note: Last of a five-part series previewing the Nuggets’ positional outlook heading into Thursday’s 29 NBA draft. Today: center.
The Nuggets have an opening for one of the hardest roles in the NBA. Backing up Nikola Jokic sounds like a treat until you realize what the job description entails.
Mason Plumlee was tired of his reduced responsibilities, which explained his decision to pick lottery-bound Detroit over Denver in free agency last year. Then the Nuggets tried to plug the hole with Isaiah Hartenstein, whose game was miscast in Houston and then underutilized once he got to Denver.
In late March, the Nuggets cut bait with Hartenstein and sent two additional second-round picks to Cleveland for JaVale McGee. The three-time champion played sparingly to end the regular season and then played a grand total of 34 minutes in the playoffs. Aside from McGee’s curious usage — he was likely acquired in the event the Nuggets ran into the Lakers in the postseason — second-round picks have historically yielded gold for Tim Connelly’s staff. The trade looks worse in retrospect, and Hartenstein went on to play well for Cleveland.
As the Nuggets run through their final iterations ahead of Thursday’s NBA draft, does drafting a center behind the league’s MVP make any sense?
That depends on what Denver’s plans are in free agency. McGee, currently at the Tokyo Olympics with Team USA, is a free agent. He was a victim of the overcrowded frontcourt that also caught veterans JaMychal Green and Paul Millsap. The Nuggets learned that three-headed experiment didn’t work.
But the same thing that was true at the trade deadline remains true as the draft and free agency approach: the Nuggets need rim protection.
Despite how the season ended, McGee is interested in returning to Denver, according to two league sources, but is expected to have multiple suitors. Nuggets coach Michael Malone raved about McGee’s locker room presence throughout the playoffs, and has said the team intends to find more rest for Jokic next season.
Having a trustworthy and potentially experienced big man behind Jokic should be a priority for Denver this offseason.
Though it’s difficult to see Malone entrusting those backup minutes to a rookie, there will be numerous options if the Nuggets opt for a center Thursday night.
Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images
Day’Ron Sharpe (11) of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives to the basket on Cordell Pemsl (35) of the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first half of their quarterfinals game in the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 11, 2021 in Greensboro, N.C.1. Day’Ron Sharpe, 6-foot-11, North Carolina, freshman: Few freshmen are as physically equipped to handle the NBA as Sharpe. An imposing center, Sharpe can still get up and down the floor on fast breaks. Though his game is still developing, he’s already proven to be a menace on the offensive glass.
2. Isaiah Jackson, 6-10, Kentucky, freshman: Long, nimble and agile, Jackson has intriguing defensive potential, both near the rim and on the perimeter. He needs to get stronger – and will with time – and needs to improve his somewhat limited offensive game, but could probably be an impact defender in the NBA next season.
3. Usman Garuba, 6-8, Real Madrid, 19 years old: He’s more forward than center. If the Nuggets drafted Garuba they’d be signaling comfortability with a small-ball big moving forward. But Garuba can defend and switch as smoothly as anyone in the draft. An elite defender with fantastic instincts, Garuba has already won at high levels in Spain.
4. Charles Bassey, 6-11, Western Kentucky, junior: A throwback center, Bassey has good size but is a little stiff with his movements. His strength, though, is a huge asset, serving him well when he battles down low for positioning. Probably a second-round pick and currently out of the Nuggets’ range.
5. Luka Garza, 6-11, Iowa, senior: The third-leading scorer in the NCAA last season at 23.7 points per game, Garza can post up, face up or stretch the floor from 3, culminating in 44% outside shooting last season. Is he athletic enough and can he defend at the next level? The Nuggets aren’t scared of taking chances on change-of-pace centers.
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July 28, 2021 at 02:30AM
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