Editor’s note: The third of a five-part series previewing the Nuggets’ positional outlook heading into the July 29 NBA draft. Today: small forward.
When the Nuggets made their all-in, blockbuster deal for Magic forward Aaron Gordon, they did so with positional versatility in mind.
Not only would Gordon be interchangeable with Michael Porter Jr. at either forward spot, serving as the interior ballast to Porter’s 3-point shooting, the hope was that he could cover their defensive warts. In the postseason, Gordon’s defense on Damian Lillard cooled Portland’s superstar enough to survive the Blazers, even without two starting guards.