The Best Denver Nuggets First-Round Picks In The NBA Draft

Ranker NBA
Updated June 23, 2023 391 votes 46 voters
Help shape these rankings by voting on this list of The Best Denver Nuggets First-Round Picks In The NBA Draft
Voting Rules
Vote based only on career success with the Denver Nuggets. Only picks made since the NBA/ABA merger (since 1977).

Every Denver Nuggets first-round pick has played a role in the history of the franchise when looking at their different rosters throughout the years. The Nuggets have yet even to make it to the NBA Finals, let alone win a championship.

Carmelo Anthony, one of the best players of the 2000s, couldn't carry the Nuggets to a title before leaving town before leaving town for the Knicks. Meanwhile, players like Tony Battie and Nikoloz Tskitishvili proved to be among the biggest first-round draft pick busts of all time.

So, which of these players should be ranked highest for their contributions to the Nuggets franchise? The stats below reflect only the players’ time spent with Denver, and that’s what you should base your vote on. Did this player help improve the Nuggets?

Ranked by
  • Dikembe Mutombo
    1

    Draft selection: 4 (1991)

    Stats
    391 games played, 12.8 ppg, 12.3 rbg, 3.8 bpg

    Achievements
    3× NBA All-Star (1992, 1995, 1996)
    NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1995)
    NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1995)
    NBA All-Rookie First Team (1992)

  • Jamal Murray
    2

    Jamal Murray

    23 votes

    Draft selection: 7 (2016)

    Stats
    238 games played, 14.8 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3.4 rpg

    Achievements
    NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2017)

  • Carmelo Anthony
    3

    Draft selection: 3 (2003)

    Stats
    564 games played, 24.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.1 spg

    Achievements
    4× NBA All-Star (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011)
    All-NBA Second Team (2010)
    3× All-NBA Third Team (2006, 2007, 2009)
    NBA All-Rookie First Team (2004)

  • LaPhonso Ellis
    4

    Draft selection: 5 (1992)

    Stats
    343 games played, 15.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.2 apg

    Achievements
    NBA All-Rookie First Team (1993)

  • Michael Porter Jr.
    5

    Draft selection: 14 (2018)

    Stats
    Has not played for Nuggets yet

  • Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
    6

    Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

    24 votes

    Draft selection: 3 (1990)

    Stats
    439 games played, 16.0 ppg, 4.0 apg, 2.1 rpg

    Achievements
    NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1991)
    NBA Most Improved Player (1993)