Despite Deyonta Davis still being on the board the Denver Nuggets have elected to go with a prime draft and stash player in Juancho Hernangomez out of Spain. Denver was very high on Hernangomez and brought him in for a pre-draft workout. Gomez is a solid shooting big man who has excellent face up ability and a well rounded game. Originally an entrant in the 2015 draft, Hernangomez did himself a big favor by withdrawing his name and waiting one more year. After putting up production that rivals the greatest players to ever play for Movistar Estudiantes in the ACB, Hernangomez went from fringe second round pick in 2015 to a solid first rounder in 2016.
Fran Fraschilla of ESPN has stated that HernanGomez is the most NBA ready prospect among the mid first round European prospects but also believes that he will not be a draft and stash player and should be ready to contribute to the Nuggets right away. It makes sense because Juancho is a well rounded stretch four who can play in the pick and roll, shoot at a high efficiency (35% from three last season) and also finish above the rim. Defensively there are questions about Hernangomez’s ability but not about his effort as he is supposed to be one of the highest motor guys in the draft. He should fit right in with the Nuggets other Euro bigs Nikola Jokic, Jusuf Nurkic, Joffrey Lauvergne and Danilo Gallinari.
Spoke with Denver Nuggets draftee Juan Hernangomez (#15). Told me nothing concrete, but is very open to being stashed for a year in Europe.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 24, 2016
Quotes
On staying in Europe vs. coming straight to the NBA:
I want to keep working and I don't know where. For me if I got any possibilities to go to NBA with Denver, I got it. I love Denver. Thank you for the team.
Are you excited to be coming over with your careers together in the States?
Yeah, of course! You know, when we was child, we dreaming about the NBA. If this year we can play together, it's a dream come true. So rally, yeah, I'm really excited.
