Nuggets Looking to Add Shooting Guard in NBA Draft
The Denver Nuggets suffered through a difficult 2013-14 season. The Nuggets were just 36-46 after reaching the postseason the year before.
Denver needs immediate help from its 2014 NBA draft. The Nuggets have a number of talented players on the team and some depth, but injuries devastated the squad last season.
Even with injured players returning to the team, Denver still much make correct choices in its draft to fill holes it has if the Nuggets want to contend in the Western Conference.
Denver has the 11th, 41st and 56th picks in the draft. With its 11th overall pick Denver is picking the highest in the NBA draft since the Nuggets selected Carmelo Anthony in 2003 with the No. 3 overall pick.
Trades are always a possibility, with anything possibly happening as the draft is now just four days away. The priority for the Nuggets is their top pick and there are two prospects the Nuggets hope to have a shot at when No. 11 rolls around.
Gary Harris has become a popular name in the Nuggets front office of late. The Nuggets in the long-term need a No. 2 guard. Evan Fournier and Randy Foye can fill those shoes in the short-term, but Denver will need the talent of someone like Harris over the long-term.
Denver needs a No. 2 guard who can take pressure off their top guard Ty Lawson, by driving to the hoop, hitting the jumper from outside and guarding a top guard on the opposing team.
Harris might not be the most athletic or fastest in the draft by is a fine all around guard. Harris averaged over 2 steals per game while often guarding the 
best player on the opposition.
Harris also was the leading scorer for Michigan State last season at 16.7 points per game. His size is small for today’s No. 2 guard at 6-foot-4 but he can hit the three off the dribble and pass or drive to the hoop.
A second option for the Nuggets with the No. 11 pick is Michigan’s Nik Stauskas. When the Nuggets pick at No. 11, Stauskas might be the best overall player still left to pick and he is a shooting guard to boot.
Stauskas is likely the best pure shooter in the 2014 NBA Draft hitting over 44% of his three point shots and 47% overall during his sophomore season at Michigan.
During his freshman year, he was just a shooter, but last season after Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke left to play in the NBA, Stauskas became the primary scoring threat for the Wolverines.
Stauskas loves to shot off screens at the high post and off handoffs. At 6-foot-6, Stauskas is able to shoot in his opponents face and has a quick release. He also has the ability to shake defenders and create his shot.
If Danilo Gallinari is not as quick when he returns this season from knee surgery, Stauskas would have to grasp Head Coach Brian Shaw’s game plan sooner and not later.
With nice size and quick feet, Stauskas could also be a fine choice for the Nuggets with their No. 11 pick overall.
