The NBA Draft is the place franchises, like the Denver Nuggets, are constructed. Few organizations have discovered higher worth in the later phases of the draft than Denver.
The crew famously chosen three-time MVP Nikola Jokić with the 41st decide in the 2014 NBA Draft. Now, the selection is regarded as the biggest second-round decide in NBA historical past. With this yr’s draft just lately concluding, it’s value revisiting the biggest choices in Nuggets’ historical past.
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Although the Nuggets drafted Jokić, they haven’t all the time discovered constant success in the draft. The high 4 gamers in the crew’s draft historical past are comparatively straightforward to rank.
That stated, the debate begins at quantity 5. Denver has drafted a number of borderline All-Star-level abilities, together with Michael Porter Jr. and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. However, since becoming a member of the NBA in 1976, the Nuggets have drafted and developed simply four All-Stars: Jokić, Jamal Murray, Carmelo Anthony, and Dikembe Mutombo.
Keeping this in thoughts, right here’s who must be thought-about the 5 finest draft picks in Nuggets’ historical past.
5. Michael Porter Jr.
As talked about, the quantity 5 spot is the most controversial. However, Michael Porter Jr. takes this place due to his vital position in the Nuggets’ first and solely NBA championship so far.
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The Nuggets selected Porter Jr. 14th general in the 2018 NBA Draft. He grew to become a staple piece of the core for a few years. After sitting out his entire rookie season because of harm, Porter went on to play six seasons with the Nuggets. Before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets throughout the 2025 offseason, he offered dependable three-point capturing and rebounding, which tremendously helped the Nuggets throughout their 2023 championship run.
During MPJ’s tenure with the Nuggets, he averaged 16.2 factors on nice effectivity (50% general, 41% from three, and 80% on free throws), together with 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per recreation. In his remaining yr in Denver, he averaged a then-career-high of over 18 factors per recreation throughout 77 video games performed.
Ultimately, MPJ secures the fifth spot, though legitimate arguments may be made in opposition to this rating. He will not be far forward of his competitors, however MPJ’s essential contributions throughout the Nuggets’ title run separate him from the relaxation.
Dikembe Mutombo was an all-time nice who was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2015. Selected fourth general by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 NBA Draft, it is just becoming that he lands fourth in these rankings.
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Mutombo was not capable of obtain the identical degree of playoff success in Denver as others on this checklist. However, he led the Nuggets to a historic upset. Mutombo and the Nuggets grew to become the first No. 8 seed in NBA historical past to beat a No. 1 seed, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in 1994.
Although his time in Denver was comparatively quick, a few of the finest basketball of Mutombo’s profession got here whereas sporting a Nuggets uniform.
Mutombo spent 5 seasons with the Nuggets earlier than signing with the Atlanta Hawks in 1996. Across his time with Denver, he averaged 12.9 factors, 12.3 rebounds, and three.8 blocks per recreation. He additionally received the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and earned three All-Star Game choices.
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Mutombo’s dominance defensively and historic influence in Denver make him one in all the Nuggets’ biggest draft picks.
Just forward of Mutombo, Jamal Murray comes in at No. 3.
Despite being the second choice on a title-winning crew, Murray performed a basic position for the Nuggets throughout their championship season in 2023. His playoff success with Denver edges him over Mutombo in the rankings.
Drafted seventh general in 2016, Murray has been a staple for the franchise ever since. After incomes his first All-NBA and All-Star choices final season, Murray has additional cemented himself at the third spot.
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Murray has spent 10 years in Denver, one in all which he missed completely because of an ACL harm. Across his 9 taking part in seasons with the franchise, he has averaged 18.9 factors (46% FG, 39% 3PT, 87% FT), 5.0 assists, and three.8 rebounds per recreation. Last season was Murray’s finest. He averaged a career-high 25 factors per recreation on borderline 50/40/90 capturing splits.
Beyond being one in all the finest gamers the Nuggets have ever drafted, Murray has develop into one in all the finest gamers in franchise historical past.
The unique No. 15 earlier than Nikola Jokić was Carmelo Anthony, who’s No. 2 amongst the finest choices in Nuggets’ historical past.
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Selected third general in the 2003 NBA Draft, Anthony is tied for the highest draft decide in franchise historical past. Although Anthony has had a rocky relationship with the Nuggets ever since his departure, there isn’t any denying his expertise and influence on the franchise.
Fifty video games into his eighth season in Denver, he was traded to the New York Knicks after requesting a commerce. Over these eight seasons, he averaged 24.8 factors (46% FG, 31% 3PT, 80% FT), 3.1 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per recreation. He additionally earned 4 All-Star nods and 4 All-NBA choices throughout his time with the Nuggets.
Even although Anthony by no means introduced the Nuggets to the championship, he did make them the Western Conference Finals in 2009. At one level, this was the furthest the franchise had superior in the playoffs since 1985, until Jokić and Murray led Denver again to the Western Conference Finals in 2020.
Despite Anthony leaving on a nasty word, he stays one in all the finest gamers to ever play for the Nuggets.
1. Nikola Jokić
No shock right here. Coming in at the high spot is Nikola Jokić.
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He was picked throughout the center of the second spherical in 2014. However, few may have imagined he would develop into the biggest draft decide in franchise historical past.
Jokić has put collectively one in all the biggest careers in league historical past. He led the Nuggets to their first championship. Jokić has additionally earned three MVPs, a Finals MVP, eight All-Star choices, and eight All-NBA honors. Last season, he additionally grew to become the first participant ever to guide the league in each assists and rebounds.
Jokić has spent 11 seasons with the Nuggets, averaging 22.2 factors (56% FG, 36% 3PT, 83% FT), 7.5 assists, and 11.1 rebounds per recreation throughout his prolonged profession in Denver. Over the final two seasons, Jokić has averaged a triple-double. This is an achievement completed by just one different participant in NBA historical past: Russell Westbrook.
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Overall, Jokić stands alone as the biggest draft decide in Nuggets historical past and one in all the most impactful choices in the NBA ever.
The publish Who Are the Best Draft Picks in Denver Nuggets’ History? appeared first on The Lead.