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Nuggets trade 2024 first-round pick to Indiana, move into first round of NBA draft, source says

Having won the franchise’s first NBA championship, the Nuggets aren’t satisfied.

The Nuggets traded the 2024 first-round pick recently acquired from OKC and the 40th pick to Indiana in exchange for Nos. 29 and 32 in Thursday’s NBA draft, a league source confirmed to The Denver Post.

On multiple occasions, The Post reported that the Nuggets were trying to move into the first round using a 2024 first-round pick, and Wednesday’s deal gives Nuggets GM Calvin Booth two chances at replenishing Denver’s depth after its championship run.

Booth has been aggressive in trying to maximize the title window around Nikola Jokic, and his recent deals reflect that.

Entering Thursday, the Nuggets now have Nos. 29, 32, and 37 at their disposal.

On Tuesday, the Nuggets hosted a workout including Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis, Connecticut’s Andre Jackson, Arkansas’ Jordan Walsh, Missouri’s Kobe Brown, Gonzaga’s Drew Timme and Wake Forest’s Tyree Appleby, two league sources said.

According to one source, Walsh’s shooting stood out among the group.

As was evident in Booth’s first draft last summer, Denver puts a heavy emphasis on positional size. Both of Booth’s first-round picks last season, Christian Braun and Peyton Watson, are switchable defensive pieces with above-average length and athleticism.

Jackson’s a 6-foot-6 guard, and Walsh is a 6-foot-7 wing.

Any prospect the Nuggets target will likely fit that bill, or play bigger than their frame — similar to Bruce Brown, who will become a free agent this summer. Depending on what happens with him, the Nuggets could try to replenish their backcourt to serve as insurance in case Brown leaves.

Who the Nuggets target is obviously contingent on their draft slot.

Jackson, Walsh and Brown are all potential targets in the first round, a source said. Later in the draft, Denver could be targeting Clemson forward Hunter Tyson, Belmont guard Ben Sheppard, Dayton forward Toumani Camara, Florida big man Colin Castleton or Penn State guard Seth Lundy.

The Nuggets are returning their entire starting five from their championship run, and potentially Brown as their sixth man. Whoever Booth can land in the draft will be essential in trying to minimize luxury tax costs moving forward.

ESPN first reported Wednesday’s trade.

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