2016 is going to be a very interesting draft. Mostly because...no one really knows what the hell is going to happen. Take for example 2 different mock drafts I tend to follow:
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2016/
http://www.nbadraft.net/2016mock_draft
The top of the draft is pretty set, until you get to around 10, and then things get wonky. Demetrious Jackson for example. On DX, he's at 11, NBADraft he's 32. Stiff favorite Luwawu? 12 on DX, NBADraft he's 33. Still right after each other, but drastically off. I tend to trust DX more, but the ranges on some of these guys is nusto.
Thon Maker - will he shoot up the boards because of his size, range, and athleticism or will his camps from last summer keep him in the second round as DX has him?
Malachi Richardson - undrafted or first rounder?
Chiek Diallo - Will he follow in the footsteps of Cliff Alexander and be a first round bust?
Dejounte Murray - Early first rounder (NBAD) or second rounder (DX)
The questions could continue from Sabonis to Fedler (who I think has Isaiah Thomas like late second round potential). This draft is going to be one of the most unpredictable in years I think as the pre draft mocks are showing. If the Nuggets can somehow find a way to turn their 5 picks in this draft into some picks for next years draft, that's a success in my book. I think Connolly and Co have shown a tremendous ability to draft and next year's class is stacked. So much that I think Ingram and Simmons would be in the 7-10 range next year.
If we can't trade and we keep our picks, here are my hopes for the draft (keep in mind I once attended a Nuggets draft at McNichols Arena and booed mercilously at the LaFrentz pick screaming for Vince Carter. Also, I thought Dajuan Wagner was a sure fire HOF...so I'm wrong too):
Best case scenario staying in this draft:
Silver forgets the Knicks will swap and "randomly" selects them to win the draft. Nuggets have picks 1, 15, 19. We go with;
Ingram over Simmons for sure. I just don't trust Simmons' attitude and work ethic.
Valentine at 15 - Wing scorers are always needed. I know we would have a lot there if we took Valentine/Ingram, but Gallo and Chandler just can't stay healthy
Maker at 19 - likely a stretch, but taking a shot on a 7'1 kid with handles and can shoot it isn't a terrible 3rd pick. Taking one with the 5th pick was not a good idea (skita)
Second best scenario:
3 - Hield - WE NEED SHOOTING!
15 - Deyonte Davis - similar to Maker above, but I think Davis is a better player and would be a great pick up at 15
19 - Ullis - Passing on Maker since we already went with Davis, I think Ullis at 19 provides competition to Mudiay and gives us flexibility to have 3 play making PG's on the roster
Likely scenario:
7 - If DX is accurate and Hield/Murray falls to 7, you jump at that. However, I think neither will be there, so I'll go with Luwawu at 7. Right now, that seems crazy. But we can use shooting and he seems like the best available there. Brown? No thanks. Maybe Deyounte Murray here as well.
15 and 17 - Probably the same as scenario #2 with considerations for Maker, D Jackson if he falls, Ellenson, D Murray.
Sadly, since the ownership decided to jettison the COY and not pay the GM of the year and hire Shaw, the highlight of the Nuggets has been the draft. Let's hope we can soon get back to forgetting about the draft for some time and being excited for playoff basketball in Denver very very soon.
