The difference between the first and second rounds of the NBA Draft is enormous. First round picks are guaranteed contracts, while second rounders have to fight for roster spots in order to actually make it to the NBA. But value can still definitely be found in the second round— be it a borderline star like Gilbert Arenas or a solid bench player like Taj Gibson or a Rookie of the Year candidate like Isaiah Thomas.
ESPN's Chad Ford posted his first second round mock draft on Monday morning, and in it he predicts that the Denver Nuggets will look at some big men. Denver has the eighth and 20th picks of the second round (No. 38 and No. 50 overall), and with the first of those picks, Ford has the Nuggets taking Virginia Cavaliers power forward Mike Scott. Scott was second in the ACC in scoring last season, and Ford says that he's getting some looks in the end of the first round.
With the No. 50 overall pick, Ford has the Nuggets grabbing another ACC big man in Bernard James from Florida State. James is a 27-year-old who served in Iraq, and though he's extremely limited offensively, he could be a potential game-changer as a defensive presence.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For all things Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.