THE 2024 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft is rapidly approaching, with each team making their final preparations ahead of adding some young talent to the best competition in the world.

There are some seriously impressive prospects available, with the crop stretching all around the globe as more international players begin to gain recognition. Suddenly, the collegiate system is not the only method to joining the NBA, which has allowed a broader range of players to compete at the top level.

With the NBA wrapping up the 2023/24 season as we speak, the teams already eliminated have spent the past few weeks considering which players they will select to prepare for the future, and the recent Draft Lottery saw the official order determined.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be taking a look at each team and how their draft will potentially pan out on June 26-27. With all 30 sides in their own unique situation, there is plenty to unpack ahead of the next injection of exciting players.

Today’s team are the Denver Nuggets, who could not back up their championship-winning campaign in 2023 and will head to the draft to add more depth to the roster.

Denver Nuggets

Draft Selections

28, 57

Contracted Players

Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Kentavius Caldwell-Pope (player option), Reggie Jackson (player option), Zeke Nnaji, Christian Braun (team option), Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson (team option), Vlatko Cancar (team option), Jalen Pickett, Hunter Tyson

The Nuggets came into the postseason expected to reach the NBA finals after winning the ultimate prize last year, but were eliminated by a Timberwolves side that was on a serious roll. Now, Denver will go back to the drawing board in an attempt to get over the hump once again.

With the MVP in Nikola Jokic set to be the centrepiece for years to come, the NBA Draft offers the opportunity to surround him with the right young pieces, and although Denver’s draft hand is not the strongest by any means, the team has a good record of uncovering gems later in the piece.

Rumours have been circulating that the Nuggets have already made a promise for their first selection, with DaRon Holmes II the likely candidate. The big man can space the floor well and offers excellent versatility that would make him the perfect big man behind Jokic, especially considering this is a position that has let them down in the past.

Allowing Jokic to rest would be massive, but Denver has been patient with its rookies in the past, so Holmes II might not see much court time initially. However, he fits the bill for the kind of big man that would thrive in the team’s system, so it looms as very likely that his name is called at pick 28.

The Nuggets have one more selection in the draft at 57, and although it is very late in the night, Denver has found star talent this deep in a class previously. One option that would fit the Nuggets’ style of play is Weber State forward Dillon Jones. Although listed as a wing, Jones is a capable ball-handler who can create his own shot with ease, and with Denver’s zippy ball movement, his ability to score downhill would be a serious bonus.