The Denver Nuggets used their 26th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft for Nah’Shon Hyland; perhaps the prospect who probably has the best name in this year’s draft class. Nonetheless, in this post, we're going to do a Denver Nuggets 2021 NBA Draft grade based on their sole selection.

Hyland is from Virginia Commonwealth University and is the only pick of the Nuggets on that night. With Jamal Murray’s injury which could possibly sideline him until the All-Star break, Denver needed a guard. And so they ended draft night with a new young combo guard on their roster. 

Nah’Shon Hyland played two seasons at Virginia where he averaged 19.5 points and shot 44.7 percent from the field in his sophomore year. He shot 37.1 percent from three on 7.8 attempts per game as well as 86.3 percent from the free throw line. These stats alone will tell you that Hyland is indeed a scorer—a walking bucket with a lot of tricks in his bag. He can shoot from three, drive downhill and make step back jumpers. 

Denver Nuggets 2021 NBA Draft Grade for Nah’Shon

Besides Hyland’s scoring abilities, he’s also 6’3 with a decent wingspan. This is huge especially if Denver wants to put a long body to defend their opponent’s backcourt when they need it—something that Facundo Campazzo and Monte Morris (for as good as they are) quite struggled on. 

Aside from his wingspan, Nah’Shon  Hyland is someone who can draw fouls. This would be huge for the Dever Nuggets given that they struggled getting to the free throw line last season. The rookie averaged 4.5 free throws attempts per game during his sophomore year in college. If he can hang with the NBA’s defense, then his scoring would be needed especially if it means removing the pressure on Nikola Jokic to score all the time. 

Hyland spaces the floor and he isn’t bad on the defensive side either. He has quick hands and can somehow steal the ball from his opponents before they know it. He averaged 1.9 steals per game last season in Virginia and was a pest on defense. 

Denver Nuggets 2021 NBA Draft grade for Nah’Shon (negative outlook)

It’s normal for rookies to not have the complete offensive package right away. In Hyland’s case, he still struggles to make plays for his teammates. During his collegiate years, he only averaged 2.3 assists per game in 36 minutes. Yes, he can shoot but passing isn’t his best skill. This will have to improve if he wants to be a threat on offense in the pros. Maybe Jokic, arguably the best big man passer in the game, could help him with that. 

Lastly, the 20-year-old lacks size and is perhaps still young to take on a role on a team that wants to contend, at least in the western conference. There’s a lot of room for Hyland to grow but will the Denver Nuggets be patient enough especially with their current window right now? It’s going to be interesting to watch how the Nuggets handle their pick. It will be surprising if head coach Mike Malone does not give him minutes in the regular season. 

Overall grade: B+

The Denver Nuggets needed a scoring guard and they got the best one possible for the 26th pick, which is way deep in the first round. Hyland can score but his game still needs to improve if he wants to take over Murray’s spot in the roster. But who knows, if Denver turned and developed their 41st second round pick into an MVP, maybe Hyland has the potential to significantly improve as well.