Nuggets selects Gary Harris with the No. 19 pick in 2014 NBA Draft
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The Denver Nuggets selected Michigan State guard Gary Harris with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft on Thursday night. The Nuggets had acquired this pick earlier in the night from the Chicago Bulls.
That's a quick infusion of shooting for Denver, as Harris promises to be a long-range threat immediately. While his shot was at times inconsistent - he hit just 35.2 percent on threes as a sophomore after stroking 41.1 percent as a freshman - his form is pure and his range deep. He's a solid slasher, as well, thanks to a tight handle, and he should be a plus defender at either guard spot.
Playing him at the two could limit his upside some due to being undersized, but teams seemed split on whether or not he could man the point. At either spot, he should be an instant contributor, and shooters are rarely hard to find playing time for.
Harris would have filled an immediate need for Denver, as the Nuggets started Randy Foye at the two for almost the entire season, except that the Nuggets re-acquired Arron Afflalo earlier in the day. Afflalo can play some three and Harris can play some one, so there should be enough minutes for everyone here.
Most importantly, Harris has a more substantial upside than Foye and also becomes the team's biggest long-range threat. He and Ty Lawson could form a formidable defensive backcourt, and a Lawson-Harris-Afflalo lineup, while small, would be a sound defensive look. In short, the Nuggets acquired a pair of versatile guards today, and they've improved the roster substantially.