Nuggets select Jusuf Nurkic with the No. 16 pick in 2014 NBA Draft
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The Denver Nuggets selected Bosnian center Jusuf Nurkic with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft on Thursday night. The pick had been acquired from the Chicago Bulls earlier in the night.
This is a long-term play, but there's reason for Nuggets fans to be excited. Nurkic is a monster, but one with a soft touch around the rim and one who is young enough to project development for. Patience will be the key, as it's unclear if Nurkic intends to head to the NBA or play another season or two in Europe.
It made sense for Denver to use one of the two first-round picks they acquired (they also have No. 19) on an international player, allowing them to stash one overseas for a year or two. The Nuggets currently have 13 players under contract for next season, and it was unlikely they would be able to find playing time for multiple rookies.
Long-term, Nurkic provides a succession plan for 2015, when Timofey Mozgov can become a free agent, or 2016, when JaVale McGee can walk.