Draft week has finally arrived in the NBA, and all 30 teams are finalizing their plans for Thursday night's festivities. The Denver Nuggets held their final set of draft workouts on Monday, and included in the group was G League Ignite's MarJon Beauchamp.
Beauchamp is a fascinating prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft. After spending time at the community college level, Beauchamp chose to forgo the traditional college route -- despite significant Division 1 interest -- and opted for the G League.
There, he excelled in multiple phases of the game, but particularly as a defensive mind. He is a high-energy player that could absolutely be a game-changer for an NBA team.
We'll take a look here at his strengths, areas of improvement, and his fit with the Nuggets should they select him in the first round.
Strengths
Defense:
Beauchamp has the potential to be a leader for NBA defenses. His hustle is unmatched, a 7'1" wingspan allows him to make life incredibly difficult on the ball, and his IQ makes him a high quality off-ball player as well.
There shouldn't be any concerns about what Beauchamp can bring defensively. He can take on the opposing team's best guard or wing player, and will continue to fight regardless of result.
Transition Offense:
The IQ he takes from his defense also allows him to be a reliable playmaker in transition. He has a knack for knowing when to take the ball himself as opposed to distributing to teammates.
If he can force turnovers and get out on the run, he quickly becomes a dangerous player that attention must be devoted to.
Athleticism:
Beauchamp can leap out of the gym and has a remarkable first step. This allows him to beat players off the dribble and get to the rim with ease. He had a 63.8 True Shooting percentage despite struggling from beyond the arc.
He also can rebound extremely well for a player who comes in at just under 6'6".
Areas of Improvement
Shooting:
The G League Ignite product really struggled from beyond the arc. He shot just 24.2% from that distance, making him more one-dimensional in his offensive attack.
However, he's one jump shot away from becoming a massively high-impact role player in the NBA.
Fit With Nuggets
For the Nuggets, adding a player like Beauchamp could be transformative for their defense. Head coach Michael Malone has repeatedly discussed wanting to make defensive improvements, and Beauchamp fits the bill there.
His effort and passion for the game have never been questioned, and he can bring versatility into any lineup, something you can never have too much of in the NBA.
There are plenty of players in this year's draft who can provide a boost defensively for the Nuggets. Beauchamp is another player worth highlighting in that regard.
It remains to be seen what the team's plans are with the No. 21 overall pick on Thursday evening.