Well, that was....something? In one of the most-hyped and highly-regarded drafts in recent memory -- one that goes at least 10 deep according to most analysts and offers at least the chance at picking up productive players later on -- the Nuggets come away with a guy drafted 12th two years ago, and....a less athletic, less long, less skilled version of Gallo in the first round?

Let's get the obvious out of the way first. Despite Nuggets fans' wishes to see Jimmy Butler donning the blue and gold, that was always going to be a pipe dream. Sure, the haul Chicago got for Butler left most feeling cold, but it's next to impossible to know what Connelly & Co. offered (if anything) for the All-NBA stud. It's very possible that the Chicago front office simply liked the young assets Minnesota offered more than anything the Nuggets could reasonably provide. Whether or not you agree with that assessment is really beside the point.

In a vacuum I didn't mind the move back to pick up Trey Lyles from Utah. The 21-year old Kentucky product has plenty of untapped potential left in his 6-10 body. After just one year at Kentucky, Lyles was always going to be a work-in-process, but his 7-3.5" wingspan and solid frame, plus solid inside finishing and decent footwork, was enough to get him drafted 12th overall in 2015. Landing in Utah was always going to be tough for Lyles though. By the time he was drafted, Utah was gearing up to compete for a playoff spot after a years-long absence. With a crowded front court led by the emerging Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors didn't offer a lot of playing time for Lyles, and the rising tide of expectations didn't allow for Jazz coach Quin Snyder to let Lyles learn on the job.

During his two years in Salt Lake City, Lyles averaged six points per game in 17 minutes. He flashed a decent defensive rebound percentage, but overall his stats weren't anything to write home about. One encouraging stat: he shot better than 34 percent from 3-point range over his two years (albeit on just over two attempts per game) -- a far-cry better than his 4-of-29 numbers from behind the arc in college.

My opinion: trading down to 24 in a relatively loaded draft to pick up a forward with Lyles potential was worth the risk for Connelly & Co. Unfortunately, that OK move was negated with what the Nuggets did with that 24th pick.

Disappointed is not a strong enough word to describe my emotions when I saw Twitter announce Lydon as Denver's first-round pick. Sure, you could argue OG Anunoby was the player the front office was targeting, and when Masai Ujiri jumped in to take him a pick before, it threw the Nuggets' war room into a panic -- but why end up on Lydon? I just don't see it.

The 6-10 forward played two years at Syracuse, serving as one of the Orange's top outside threats. He shot better than 39 percent during his second season in upper New York. He has flashed an elite shooting ability for a prospect with his size, but outside of his shooting, he offers no other real NBA qualities. And for me, his lack of athleticism, short wingspan, and elongated shooting stroke aren't encouraging signs for becoming a knock-down shooter at the next level. He also doesn't solve any of the Nuggets' defensive problems. All in all, the pick was a baffling one.

So, one baffling pick and the addition of a lottery pick from two years is what the Nuggets come away with. Now, there seems to be too many players on what was an already crowded roster. There need to be moves, but what are they? Here are a couple of ideas.

Go Get Kyle Lowry

The 31-year old three-time All Star is a free agent. While the Raptors and Ujiri will undoubtedly want to keep the Villanova product around, Toronto's LeBron-sized wall in the playoffs, and Lowry's comments following another defeat at the hands of the Cavs this year, lead some to believe he may be looking for greener pastures. The Nuggets should offer Lowry a max deal. Yes, that would mean paying the point guard a hefty salary through his mid-30s -- always a risky proposition for a position that generally doesn't age well -- but Lowry's skill-set and veteran leadership would be exactly what the Nuggets need. With Gallo's cap hold renounced, there will be room to make Lowry an offer, and Denver can offer Lowry plenty of offensive firepower -- more than he has now with Toronto, plus a younger team to quarterback. Getting Lowry to come to the Mile High City would also add a bit of credibility to the young Nuggets roster.

While adding Lowry to the mix won't make the Nuggets Western Conference contenders, he'd make the Nuggets favorites to qualify for the Playoffs -- no small feat for a franchise struggling in attendance three years running. Plus, what does competing in the West really look like with the Golden State juggernaut looming over every transaction made over the next five years. I won't speak on behalf of all Nuggets fans, but I'd be happy with a six- or seven-seed and a fun season. Sometimes, it's not just championship or bust -- especially with the Warriors' shadow hovering over everything.

With or without Lowry, this Nuggets roster is too full. The herd needs to be culled, and the remaining veterans (Jameer Nelson, Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, Will Barton) need to be on the trading block. It’s time for the Denver youth movement to move into fifth gear. Any value you can get from trading one, two, or even three of those vets should be snatched up quickly. With the sideways movement this draft led the Nuggets to, it’s time for either a step forward or step back.