18. Denver Nuggets: Mitchell Robinson, C, USA
Big Board Rank: 14
Mitchell Robinson’s wild story has been very well documented. The questions of his character after the Western Kentucky dilemma, and not playing any real basketball games have made Robinson the ultimate gamble in this year’s draft. The Nuggets have an average roster and at 18 aren’t going to make any crazy picks that will drastically change their team next season.
So why not swing for the fences and try to hit a homerun with Mitchell Robinson? Robinson was a top recruit, McDonald’s All American, and was ranked higher than guys like Kevin Knox, Troy Brown, and Lonnie Walker (all already taken). Robinson was last measured at 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, along with adding some muscle to an unfinished frame.
Mitchell Robinson would be a nice compliment to Nikola Jokic off the bench. Jokic is a great offensive big man and passer but isn’t a great defender. Robinson could come in and provide a rim protection and a different look with an athletic big man.