The Denver Nuggets have put together quite an interesting team. They’re constantly among the top-4 teams in the Western Conference with a promising combination of youth and veterans, as well as high-risk high-reward players like Michael Porter Jr and Bol Bol.
The team has clearly done an outstanding job in terms of scouting their prospects. They have a core that can stay together for the next 5 or 6 years and compete at a high level but you know what they say: even great things could be better.
Turns out that, even though the Nuggets have made great and sound decisions throughout the past couple of years, they’ve also let go of some players that could certainly help their chances to make the Finals for the first time. Today, we’re going to let you know about the superteam they could have if the players they drafted returned.
Guard: Jamal Murray
Drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the 7th overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft and has been with the team ever since.
It was pretty clear that Jamal Murray was a special talent as soon as he set foot on an NBA hardwood. However, it wasn’t until this year’s playoffs that he broke out as one of the most unstoppable scorers in the league and finally put the world on notice.
Murray can shoot lights out from all three levels. He can play on and off the ball and is a perfect fit next to Nikola Jokic. His defense on-ball defense is still a work in progress but he’s got a great understanding of help defense and will only get better with time.
Guard: Donovan Mitchell
Drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the 13th overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft and traded to the Utah Jazz for Trey Lyles and Tyler Lydon.
The Denver Nuggets made a huge mistake when they traded away Donovan Mitchell to the Utah Jazz. Mitchell was often overlooked and slept on but he’s proven to be the kind of outspoken leader and dominant scorer they were craving for years. Now, he’s a superstar in the making.
Mitchell is a walking bucket who can play both guard spots with ease. He’s also a much better defender than people credit him for and he’s become the Utah Jazz’ franchise cornerstone in just a couple of years in the league, thus signing a max contract extension with them.
Guard: Evan Fournier
Drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the 20th overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft and traded in 2014 to the Orlando Magic with Devyn Marble for Arron Afflalo.
Even Fournier is by no means a superstar nor he’ll ever be one but he’s the kind of player the Nuggets needed when they couldn’t buy a bucket vs. the Jazz. He’s a crafty and savvy veteran that can run the point or score efficiently whenever he’s needed to step up.
Fournier’s size also allows him to guard multiple spots on the court. He’s quite a smart player with a great feel for stepping up in the clutch. The Nuggets would be deadly in the offensive end of the floor with that kind of three-headed monster in the backcourt.
Forward: Nikola Jokic
Drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the 2nd round (41st pick) of the 2014 NBA Draft and has been with the team ever since.
The whole league slept on Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets faced a lot of criticism when they traded away Jusuf Nurkic to hold on to him. Now, he’s one of the best players in the league and arguably the most versatile big man in the world as well. He’s their marquee player and for very good reasons.
Jokic is the best passing big man in the history of the NBA. He’s the true definition of a point center, a guy who can put the ball on the floor and make passes not even many guards could do. He can pull up from beyond the arc or post up with great expertise, although he must improve as a defender.
Center: Rudy Gobert
Drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the 27th pick of the 2013 NBA Draft and traded to the Utah Jazz for Erick Green and cash considerations.
Rudy Gobert was a bit of a late bloomer. He was pretty raw when he made it to the league but the upside as a top-tier rim protector was clearly there. That’s why the Utah Jazz pushed to trade for him, which the Nuggets may have realized by now that was a huge mistake.
Gobert is a multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year. He can stay in front of quicker players in the perimeter and alter countless shots in the paint. He’s also improved as a roll-man and an offensive threat as a rim-runner. He’d be the perfect complement next to Jokic because of his defense.
Next
The Ultimate Comparison: 40-Year Michael Jordan vs. Young NBA Stars This Season
The 5 Worst Draft Mistakes By One Pick In Minnesota Timberwolves History
Cleveland Cavaliers Superteam: If Every NBA Player Returned To Their Original Team
Ultimate Player Comparison: LeBron James vs. Kawhi Leonard
The Best Destinations For Damian Lillard If He Wants To Win A Championship Next Season
