The Denver Nugget will likely have holes up front if both Kenyon Martin and Nene leave via free agency this summer, so it would make sense for the team to draft a power forward in the 2011 NBA Draft to hopefully fill in any gaps there. Over at Denver Stiffs, Nate Timmons wonders if the Nuggets should draft Morehead State's Kenneth Faried.
Timmons is non-committal on Faried, but does think the Nuggets would need to trade up to get him. Taking a look at some mock drafts, Faried goes as high as No. 11 to the Golden State Warriors in SB Nation's mock draft, No. 17 to the Knicks in DraftExpress', No. 18 in two CBS Sports ones, No. 19 according to Sports Illustrated and as low as No. 24 in NBADraft.net's mock. At this point, his draft stock appears fluid, but it does appear that Faried could fall slightly to the Nuggets at No. 22.
Faried gained national attention during the 2011 NCAA Tournament when he led the Morehead St. Eagles to a 62-61 upset over Louisville. Faried, 6-foot-8, averaged 17.3 points and 14.5 rebounds in his senior season. No one questions his ability to rebound in the NBA, but how much of an offensive impact he will have is open for debate.