Nuggets Draft Profile: Wendell Moore Jr.

On June 7, the Denver Nuggets hosted six college prospects who are eligible to be selected in the 2022 NBA Draft, taking place later this month. Among those six prospects was Duke University forward Wendell Moore Jr.

Moore spent three years at Duke and showed significant development in his game each season. In his Freshman and Sophomore seasons, there were concerns about his offensive efficiency, as he was widely seen as a defense-first player.

But his Junior year saw him take a massive leap in his shot-making ability. A six-percent bump in his field goal percentage — and 11 percent from beyond the arc — restored confidence that he is an NBA-ready prospect.

All the while, he maintained the energetic defense that made him such an intriguing player in the first place. Three-and-D wings have become among the NBA’s most valuable archetypes, making Moore someone worth keeping a close eye on.

To kick off a series breaking down 10 prospects in June 23’s Draft, we’ll take a look at Moore’s strengths, areas of improvement, and how he might fit in with the Nuggets if he ultimately winds up in Denver.

While his 6-foot-5 frame is not typical of an NBA wing, Moore’s 7-foot wingspan should allow him to defend multiple positions at a high level. Moore averaged 1.6 steals per 40 minutes over his three college seasons, coupled with an uncanny ability to jump passing lanes and pressure ball handlers.

If he’s guarding smaller players, he’ll frustrate them with his length and energy. He can oftentimes force guards into taking bad shots or attempting difficult passes.

Against wings and power forwards, he uses his active hands and impeccable timing to alter shots at the rim or on the perimeter.

He earned himself ACC All-Defense honors in 2021-22, and has a case for being one of the better wing defenders in the 2022 class.

Moore won’t have the same ball-handling and playmaking responsibility in the NBA as he did at Duke. But in some ways, this could translate even better towards being an instant impact secondary playmaker.

In his Junior season, Moore reached a career-high 4.4 assists per game. He was pivotal in Duke’s pick-and-roll attack, using quick decision-making and a unselfish willingness to involve others to keep the Blue Devils offense humming.

Moore’s playmaking chops don’t just end when the ball is out of his hands. Court vision also helps him as a cutter, where he can get to the rim and finish with ease.

50.0/41.3/80.5 shooting splits in 2021-22 showed the type of player he can be when he shares the court with superstars that command attention. He thrived alongside Paolo Banchero, a projected lottery selection.

His True Shooting percentage — which takes into account shot quality and frequency — ranked ninth in the ACC in his Junior season.

Consistency from the Perimeter:

Moore shot a career best 41.3% beyond the arc in his final college season. However, it took him two years to reach this figure, posting 21.1% and 30.1% in his first two years at Duke. 

These numbers may look concerning on the surface, but the stark improvement in his third year reflects a player who has shown a willingness – and ability – to improve.

Creation off the Dribble:

An otherworldly wingspan allows Moore to stay competitive on the defensive end by disrupting shot timing and passing lanes. But on the offensive end, Moore has struggled – at times — to get around defenders off the dribble. 

A change in role from primary to secondary playmaker should alleviate this, as his court vision and basketball IQ are strong enough to overcome any perceived burst issues.

Should the Nuggets use their 21st overall pick to select Moore, they are getting a player who would be an absolutely seamless fit within the Michael Malone system.

A secondary playmaker that has the ability to shoot 40% from three and defend at an elite level at the wing is hard to come by in today’s NBA. And next to Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr., it would be difficult to beat.

Likely coming off the bench in relief of Porter, Moore could help players like Bones Hyland initiate offensive sets for the second unit. The Duke Junior has received criticism for his passive offensive approach, but that could be maximized next to an aggressive player like Hyland.

And with the Nuggets needing less from Moore offensively than Duke did, he can divert more of his focus and energy to defense, where he would be a game-changer on the wings.

With Porter injured in 2021-22, the Nuggets did not have a go-to wing defender. It’s possible that next season — should Moore be the pick — they’ll have two.