“With the 14th pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Denver Nuggets select …”
We’ll finally be able to finish that statement Thursday night. At least, if Denver stays at that spot in the first round.
Remember what happened last year? The Nuggets picked Donovan Mitchell at No. 13 for Utah, then shipped the future Rookie of the Year contender to their division rival in exchange for Trey Lyles (who was a key reserve for Denver last season, particularly while Paul Millsap was out with a torn wrist ligament) and the 24th pick that became Tyler Lydon.
But this front office led by Tim Connelly has hit on some gems in the draft. In 2014, it made a trade with Chicago to land Gary Harris (and Jusuf Nurkic), then took star Nikola Jokic in the second round. It used its lottery pick on Jamal Murray in 2016.
The other notable whiff? Taking Emmanuel Mudiay seventh overall in 2015.
Connelly said during his pre-draft media availability that having an established core now makes personnel decision-making clearer. The Nuggets could use help in on the wing or in the backcourt, with starting small forward Wilson Chandler having until June 29 to exercise his player option for next season and versatile swingman Will Barton and veteran backup point guard Devin Harris both entering unrestricted free agency. They could also trade the pick in a package to unload the hefty salaries of Kenneth Faried or Darrell Arthur, two little-used forwards entering the final years of their contracts.
The Nuggets believe they have the foundation in place to snap their playoff drought. The roster sharpening begins Thursday night.
“We don’t want to put too much responsibility or expectations on a rookie, especially given our roster as it is,” Connelly said. “But we are trying to find a guy that we can continue to build with, a guy that fits our culture, a guy that could be another long-term piece.”
— Gina Mizell, The Denver Post
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What’s on Tap?
- MLB: Mets at Rockies, 1:10 p.m., ATTRM | Pitching matchup | Buy tickets
- World Cup: Denmark vs. Australia, 6 a.m., FS1
- World Cup: France vs. Peru, 9 a.m., FS1
- World Cup: Argentina vs. Croatia, noon, FS1
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scoreboard
MLB: Rockies 10, Mets 8
Full story | Box score
World Cup: Portugal 1, Morocco 0
Full story
World Cup: Uruguay 1, Saudi Arabia 0
Full story
World Cup: Spain 1, Iran 0
Full story
Must-Read
Denver Broncos get temporary name change to their football stadium
The Metropolitan Football Stadium District approved the Broncos’ request on Wednesday to temporarily rename their home as Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Read more…
Kiszla: Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon doesn’t win MVP. No big deal. Stanley Cup is trophy he really wants.
The Stanley Cup, however, is the trophy MacKinnon really wants. “That’s what we all play for,” said MacKinnon, before walking out into the neon glare of the Vegas strip. “And hopefully it comes sooner rather than later.” Read more…
Why drafting in middle of first round a tricky spot for Denver Nuggets
Recent reports and speculation suggest Denver could be shopping the No. 14 pick in order to move up, down or out of the first round. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Vader dies at 63: Former WWE pro wrestler and Colorado Buffaloes football player passes away.
+ Journal: Bryan Shaw insists his troubles are fixable and Rockies manager Bud Black agrees
+ Denver Broncos 2018 training camp schedule announced
+ Former National League umpire Dutch Rennert dies at 88
+ Denver Nuggets’ Juancho Hernangomez named to Spanish national team roster
+ NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. throws out first pitch at Rockies game
+ Muhammad Ali’s Michigan home on the market for $2.9 million
+ If you don’t act now, you could miss the best fishing of the summer
+ Denver’s Alterra Mountain Co. to buy Utah’s Solitude Mountain Resort
+ The “Holy Grail” of baseball cards is coming to History Colorado Center
By The Numbers
50
You’ll want to know whether the hype on Luka Doncic is real and why Mikal Bridges and Zhaire Smith might be the draft’s two biggest sleepers. We’ve got you covered with a primer of the draft’s 50 top prospects. Read more…
Parting Shot
Burger King says sorry for Russian World Cup pregnancy ad
Burger King says it’s sorry for offering a lifetime supply of Whoppers to Russian women who get pregnant from World Cup players. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.
