Schemmel: Ranking the five best draft picks in Nuggets history
Nov 2, 2021, 6:00 AM
The Denver Nuggets have been drafting players since 1977. It’s fascinating to go back and look at their drafts. It’s pretty easy to see there were some pretty good picks. And even easier to see some real head-scratchers.
Rating the best drafts in Denver Nuggets history is clearly subjective. I don’t think many will argue with my choice for the best draft pick ever. That one is pretty evident. But the other four certainly could be debated. I debated them myself. For a long time.
In my evaluation, I excluded any draft pick the Nuggets made that was for trade purposes and never played for the team. (Some of those were very intriguing!)
So here is what I came up with.
***
5. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
The former Chris Jackson was the No. 3 overall pick in 1990, out of LSU. For a few years, this dynamo was one of the best scorers in the NBA. Especially for his size. On numbers alone, he certainly could be considered one of the greatest in Nuggets history. Players the Nuggets could have drafted instead of him included Dennis Scott, Kendall Gill, Felton Spencer and Lionel Simmons. Pretty darn good pick by the Nuggets!
***
4. Dikembe Mutombo
The big guy was the No. 4 pick overall in the 1991 draft out of Georgetown. He didn’t have a long stint with the Nuggets, but became one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history. It could be argued he was the best player in that draft. Ahead of him went Larry Johnson, Kenny Anderson and Billy Owens.
***
3. Jamal Murray
Jamal was the No. 7 pick overall in the 2016 draft out of Kentucky. Again, it could be argued Jamal Murray was the very best player in the 2016 draft. And the Nuggets got him at seven. That draft went Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown, Dragan Bender, Kris Dunn and Bobby Hield. And then Murray. Excellent pick!
***
2. Carmelo Anthony
Melo was the No. 3 pick overall in the 2003 draft out of Syracuse. They were some remarkably good players behind him, including Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, but it was still the right move. This was probably a no-brainer pick for the Nuggets, but it turned out pretty darn well.
***
1. Nikola Jokic
The “Joker” was taken by the Nuggets in the second round in 2014. I repeat, the second round! The No. 41 pick overall! Wow! Not just the best draft pick in Nuggets history, but maybe one of the best in NBA history!
