Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Denver Nuggets
Drafted 7th overall by Denver, there were high hopes for Emmanuel Mudiay. Instead, he has had two up and down seasons. Mudiay has shown the occasional flash, but mostly has been a model of inconsistency. In two seasons he has shot 36 percent from the field and 31 percent from 3-point range. What is more concerning is in his second season he lost his starter job for 14 games and didn’t even play another 27 games. His minutes per game dropped from 30 to 25. On offense, at times, it was like the Nuggets were playing four on five with him on the floor.
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Here is the good news: Mudiay improved his free throw shooting from 67 percent his rookie year to 78 percent last season. He also cut his turnovers down from 3.2 to 2.2 per game. His true shooting percentage also jumped from 43 percent to 48 percent. Now that is still below averages and his PER is only 10.9, which is well below the average of 15. To improve Mudiay has to first play on his strengths. He has excellent court vision. Mudiay needs to push the ball in transition opportunities and get the ball to shooters and feed players for easy dunks and lay ups. His rookie year, 47 percent of his assists went for layups or dunks, so he is more than capable.
The problem is now Denver runs a lot of offense through Nikola Jokic. To be more successful with Jokic, Mudiay must improve as a spot up shooter or a cutter. No one finds cutters better than Jokic, and its a good way to get Mudiay some bunnies. He must improve finishing around the rim though. Getting stronger this offseason is crucial. On defense he has the tools to succeed. At 6-foot-5 with long arms he is imposing. His attention off the ball must improve and getting stronger will also help him deal with bigger guards. If he defends at a high level and cuts his turnovers down Mudiay should get out of coach Malone’s dog house.
Denver is good enough on offense, they don’t need Mudiay to put up crazy numbers. What they need is some one who doesn’t hurt them on that end. Jamal Murray, Jameer Nelson and Mudiay may all win the starting point guard job in Denver. Murray is the best fit with Jokic. However, If Mudiay improves he can start as a great sixth man, who can play with Murray at times.
Then, if he really becomes the player we thought he would be at the draft, he can earn the starting job. The time is now for Mudiay to show Denver he is worth keeping around, or at least boost his trade value.