DENVER — In many ways, Denver Nuggets’ rookie Tyler Lydon is a victim of circumstance.
A projected late first-round pick who was selected within a few spots of his likely draft slot in June, the 21-year-old is a byproduct of a “weird” and “bizarre” draft night as described by Denver’s president of basketball operations Tim Connelly that saw the Nuggets nearly acquire Kevin Love, according to multiple reports, and trade back from No. 14 overall to 24 where Denver drafted Lydon.
It doesn’t help Lydon’s cause that Donovan Mitchell, whose rights were traded to the Jazz in that draft night deal, blew up during the Summer League circuit and looks primed to be a significant contributor in Utah’s rotation, while Lydon scuffled in Vegas.