It is the NBA’s version of speed dating.
Teams fly in a group of draft prospects for the day, watch them play, then spend some “quality” time chit-chatting. Then, the whole process starts again the next day with a fresh crop of prospects.
On Wednesday, the Nuggets held their first of a series of draft workouts, bringing six guys to the Pepsi Center.
“We’re just beginning the process of bringing in guys who (executive) Masai (Ujiri) and the scouts saw during the year, and are interested in seeing some more,” said Nuggets coach George Karl, who proudly wore a North Carolina shirt, knowing Duke’s Nolan Smith was one of the players on hand Wednesday. “Right now, I think our roster says, take the best player available. But that might change as we go on.”
Denver has the No. 22 pick in the June 23 draft. One of the more intriguing prospects to work out Wednesday was Jordan Williams, a 6-foot-10, 250-pound post from Maryland. He was joined by guards Iman Shumpert of Georgia Tech, Corey Fisher of Villanova, and Smith, who helped Duke win the 2010 NCAA title, as well as forwards Nikola Vucevic of USC and Malcolm Thomas from San Diego State.
The Nuggets will host another round of players today, including guard Charles Jenkins of Hofstra and Travis Leslie of Georgia, both possible late first-round talents, and CU guard Cory Higgins.
At Maryland, Williams was a low-post load. He sometimes flirted with 280-plus pounds, but is now down in the 250-pound range, thanks to a new diet and intense workout sessions. He said he spent time in Las Vegas recently, working out with famed trainer Joe Abunassar, who counts Chauncey Billups as a client.
Williams said Wednesday was the third of likely 15 workouts he’ll have this month for NBA teams.
“I’m trying to show teams that I’ve extended my game a little bit,” he said. “In college, I was more of a back-to-the-basket player, offensive putbacks — those kinds of things. In the NBA, I’m definitely going to be a power forward, so I wanted to show that I can hit that 15-17 foot jump shot consistently.”
As the Nuggets work out players, they will look for the best fit at No. 22, but also consider lesser players for a possible spot on the training camp roster — whenever there is training camp. There’s a possibility of a lockout July 1 when the new business year starts.
And these draft workouts aren’t just for players. Karl brought in two retired players to get in some work as coaches. Former Nuggets Ryan Bowen and Darvin Ham are back in Denver this week.
“It’s more of an interviewing process,” Karl said. “We brought them in to see them work.”
Karl has an opening on his staff because of the departure of former UNLV star Stacey Augmon, who left to be an assistant at his alma mater.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
