The NBA draft is set to take place at 6 p.m. MT Thursday (TV: ABC, ESPN), so what will the Nuggets do with the No. 26 overall pick?
A shooting guard to help fill the void left by the injured Jamal Murray? Another big man to alleviate some stress from Nikola Jokic?
Denver Post beat writer Mike Singer breaks down who Denver could pick by position. Take a look at his analysis here: point guards | shooting guards | small forwards | power forwards | centers.
Here’s a look at who national draftniks are thinking will land in Denver.
Yahoo Sports | Krysten Peek | Updated July 26
Sharife Cooper, G, Auburn
Mark Zaleski, The Associated PressAuburn guard Sharife Cooper (2) plays against Vanderbilt during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn.
No analysis available. See the full mock draft.
Bleacher Report | Zach Buckley | Updated July 25
yo Dosunmu, G, Illinois
Rey Del Rio, Getty ImagesAyo Dosunmu (11) of the Illinois Fighting Illini handles the ball under pressure from Aaron Henry (0) of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Breslin Center on Feb. 23, 2021 in East Lansing, Mich.
“Dosunmu doesn’t have a standout skill, but his do-it-all skills might work in a glue-guy role. In Denver, he could help run the offense while Jamal Murray works his way back from a torn ACL and then shift into a complementary role focused on finishing, defense, spot-up shooting and high-energy everything.” See the full mock draft.
CBS Sports | Kyle Boone | Updated July 26
yo Dosunmu, SG, Illinois
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press fileIllinois guard Ayo Dosunmu shoots during the first half of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., in this Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, file photo.
“Ayo Dosunmu came back to college as a junior to improve as a shooter and try to lead Illinois to a title. He failed at the latter but achieved the former, hitting 38.6% from 3-point range (after it was 29.6% the year prior) while improving as a passer and rebounder. Glue-guy potential here with him as he does a lot of things really well but nothing at an elite level. Someone who should stick and find success.” See the full mock draft.
The Ringer | Kevin O’Connor | Updated July 27
Isaiah Jackson, F/C, Kentucky
Andy Lyons, Getty ImagesIsaiah Jackson (23) of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on Dec. 26, 2020 in Louisville, Ky.
“League sources say the Nuggets are trying to move up from the 26th pick into the top 20, and using young bench players or future picks as lures. Denver has historically drafted for upside, so if the pick is made here, Jackson fits the team profile as a bouncy big who could thrive if he’s given time to improve his weaknesses.” See the full mock draft.
ESPN | Jonathan Givony | Updated July 27
Joshua Primo, SG, Alabama
Stacy Revere, Getty ImagesJoshua Primo (11) of the Alabama Crimson Tide handles the ball against Donta Scott (24) of the Maryland Terrapins in the second half in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 22, 2021 in Indianapolis.
“Adding depth on the wing will likely be a priority for the Nuggets, who are slated to be without Jamal Murray for all or most of next season and will see several rotation players enter free agency. Primo, the youngest player in the draft, might be a distance from becoming a consistent contributor, but he’s helped himself with a strong pre-draft process. Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has never been afraid to take a high-upside prospect and be patient with his development, and Primo has everything NBA teams look for at his position long term.” See the full mock draft (subscription).
Fox Sports | Jason McIntyre | Updated July 25
Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee
Butch Dill, The Associated PressTennessee guard Jaden Springer (11) drives to the basket as Auburn guard Allen Flanigan (22) defends during the second half of an NCAA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. Auburn won 77-72.
“The Nuggets will be without Jamal Murray until after the All-Star break, and given the fact that guards Will Barton, Markus Howard and Austin Rivers are all free agents, they need to draft a shooting guard.” See the full mock draft.
CBS Sports | Colin Ward-Henninger | Updated July 27
Cameron Thomas, SG, LSU
Stacy Revere, Getty ImagesCameron Thomas (24) of the LSU Tigers moves the ball defended by Alejandro Vasquez (10) of the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Assembly Hall on March 20, 2021 in Bloomington, Ind.
“Talk about a bucket-getter. Thomas has the game, and the confidence, to eventually become a 20-point-per-game NBA scorer — he just needs to work on his efficiency. The Nuggets, like pretty much every team, are always looking for bench players who can create and put the ball in the basket, so Thomas would be a gem this late in the draft. He can also help pick up the slack until Jamal Murray returns from his ACL surgery.” See the full mock draft.
Sports Illustrated | Jeremy Woo | Updated July 26
Cameron Thomas, SG, LSU
Tim Nwachukwu, Getty ImagesCameron Thomas (24) of the LSU Tigers shoots against the LSU Tigers in the second-round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 22, 2021 in Indianapolis.
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