For our next preview of potential first-round Denver Nuggets targets in the NBA Draft, we’ll check out Kansas forward Kevin McCullar Jr. If you’re looking for another Christian Braun type player then look no further than McCullar, who had two years at Kansas under coach Bill Self to turn himself into another iteration of a two-way wing that Self loves to have. Is Denver looking for one of those? Don’t the Nuggets have enough defensive guys who are iffy shooters? That definitely depends on what the trade situations and free agency look like for the Nuggets, and McCullar is one option for going back to the well that both GM Calvin Booth and Coach Michael Malone like to dip into.
Kevin McCullar Jr., Forward, Kansas
Vitals
Height (w/o shoes): 6 feet, 5.25 inches
Weight: 206 pounds
Wingspan: 6 feet, 9 inches
Advertisement
Age: 23 (03/15/2021)
McCullar comes in right between Christian Braun (6′ 5.5″ with a 6′ 6.5″ wingspan) and Peyton Watson (6′ 6.75″ with a 7′ 0.50″ wingspan) on the “rangy wing defender” spectrum. He’s got longer arms than Braun but not the pterodactyl wingspan that Watson possesses, while having a strong frame to defend the grown men he’ll see in the Association. He doesn’t have the extra muscle of a Wilson Chandler to see heavy duty at the 4, but as a 2/3 swingman more like Braun there’s a lot to like.
College Statistics
2023/2024 Season Stats
MPG
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
FG%
3PT%
FT%
BPM
34.2
18.3
6.0
4.1
1.5
45.4%
33.3%
80.5%
7.4
Highlights
Strengths
Offensive Acumen
Advertisement
McCullar isn’t a sniper – that’s the one thing he’s still working on. But he’s a great cutter and slasher either down the paint or the baseline, and a good free throw shooter (81% this season) who was willing to take three pointers in the flow of the offense even if he wasn’t great at making them just yet (33% on 4.5 attempts per game). He can be a passing hub – his 4 assists a game this year were off of DHOs, pick-and-rolls, pocket passes, everything you would think a point guard would be doing. His ball-handling both in transition and in traffic is pretty advanced. He’s got the Andre Iguodala Starter Pack as far as offense, and while “spot-up shooter” is not his claim to fame yet, he’s got some time to work on it and a shooting stroke that shows he should improve to be a league-average capable shooter. He knows his strengths on offense involve going to the rack, though, and he is fearless about doing just that.
Defensive versatility
McCullar can legitimately defend multiple positions as a strong wing with fast feet and hands. He can crowd guards and take away their ability to turn the corner, or body up a forward to prevent an easy turn to the bucket. He has good hands for both steals and boards, and stays attached through screens. He was a Naismith DPOY semi-finalist two years running, and can make life very difficult for even very good opposing wings. If Dalton Knecht, almost certainly top-10 pick this year, is a no-doubt NBA-level player then the guy who made him look like a high schooler when they played this year should be too.
Improvement Areas
Injury concerns
McCullar wasn’t able to participate in the NBA combine for the same reason his season ended early: the bone bruise in his left knee. It’s the same injury that took a chunk of Julian Strawther’s season for the Nuggets. There has been a lot of talk about whether this means he’s soft because he missed the NCAA tournament, whether he’s a bad teammate – a lot of smoke that may be taking his draft stock down. Even more serious smoke got MPJ to fall to Denver, so if this gets McCullar out of the range of the bad teams and onto a squad that can use his playstyle, it may still work out in his favor (even while it costs him money in the short-term). This is a strange one for me because until this year I can’t remember anyone questioning his heart or integrity, and missing the combine in May should be extra weight on the side of serious injury rather than a lack of desire to gut it out. That said, any injury that takes you out for several months has to be a concern.
Advertisement
Deep Shooting
McCullar can handle scoring around the basket just fine. As a 23 year old who shot 30.1% from deep for his career, though, there are concerns about whether he’ll ever be league-average from behind the arc. His free throw percentage is perfectly reasonable at 75.6% for his career and 80.5% this year, and usually players with a decent free throw shot can be coached into gains from deep. To go back to the Wilson Chandler well, he shot 30.3% from deep in his two years at DePaul, while shooting 65.9% from the line. In the NBA, Ill Will shot 34.1% from 3 and 77% from the free throw line. Is 34% enough for McCuller to make an impact? League-average is around 36% right now – can he get to that? He showed this year for Kansas that he was willing to take the necessary threes for them to keep the floor spaced, and that’s all Denver would be asking him to do – that, and make open ones if he’s left alone. With Denver’s shooting woes on the bench, it’s hard to see another wing defender join the squad who cannot take and make those.
Mock Outcome (Nuggets draft 28th)
The Athletic: 51st
The Ringer: 46th
Yahoo! Sports: 37th
Advertisement
Verdict
McCullar has so many things going for him to be an effective NBA player that seeing him out of the first round in mocks makes me doubt my eyes. There are not thirty better pros in this draft than McCullar. He compares himself to Jalen Williams from the Thunder, and Jaime Jaquez Jr, the breakout forward last season. Some players have very optimistic self-comps, but in this case it’s easy to see how McCullar views himself in that vein with his on-ball skills complemented by his scoring burst and finishing touch and backed up by his plus defense.
His age is working against him. Not being able to roll these 19 and 20 year olds in workouts isn’t doing him any favors. But if you asked me if I would accept a Will Barton swingman who had an extra 25 pounds of muscle and lived and breathed defense I would say yes, absolutely. How much more could I possibly ask for? But the problem for him specifically in Denver is that they have 2 guys on the bench in Braun and Watson who are already filling the wing defender role and have shooting questions. From a Best Player Available standpoint though, if McCullar is there and some interior options are not, turning down good players because you don’t currently have a rotation spot for them is a good way to mess up a draft pick. Trades and injuries happen all the time. McCullar’s biggest fit problem honestly would be picking a new number – sorry Kevin, but 15 is already taken.
Rounds of snow will move into Colorado’s mountains this weekend.
If you’re traveling into the High Country, the bests time to travel will be early Saturday through midday, before the next round of snow moves in. Then again on Sunday afternoon, ahead of more snow on Monday.
It’ll be a cool and mostly cloudy start to the day in the Denver metro area. The winds will kick up in the foothills and the west side of I-25. Temperatures will warm into the low and mid 50s along the urban corridor.
Mountain snow showers will return Saturday night into Sunday morning, as Winter Weather Advisories and Warnings continue for the northern and central mountains.
Advertisement
We’ll have another lull midday Sunday with partly cloudy skies statewide. It’ll be a bit warmer in the Denver metro, with highs close to 60-degrees by the afternoon.
More mountain snow is expected Sunday night into Monday in the mountains with a slight chance of brief rain or snow showers in the metro as a cold front moves through the region Monday.
Avalanche danger is high for much of the high country, with waves of heavy snow and high winds. Please be extra cautious in the back country.
By mid-next week, snow chances decrease in the mountains. The plains and Denver cool down dramatically with highs only climbing into the 30s Tuesday. It will be dry, but very chilly for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Temperatures will be a bit more seasonal for New Year’s Day in Denver, with highs in the low-40s. Warmer weather returns by the end of next week.
If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability.
Saturday
Toucon — With Sibyl Vane & Sam E. Bee, 5 p.m., Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St., Denver, $18.50-$23.50. Tickets: larimerlounge.com.
Advertisement
JoFoKe & Same Cloth — 6 and 9 p.m., Dazzle at Baur’s, 1080 14th St., Denver, go online for prices. Tickets: dazzledenver.com/#/events.
Drop Dead, Gorgeous — 7 p.m., Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St., Denver, $35 and up. Tickets: summitdenver.com.
The Long Run – Colorado’s Tribute to The Eagles — 7 p.m., The Oriental Theater, 4435 W. 44th Ave., Denver, $25. Tickets: theorientaltheater.com.
Tildagrave — 8 p.m., The Black Buzzard at Oskar Blues, 1624 Market St., Denver, $25.50. Tickets: theblackbuzzard.com.
Silver West — With Shawn Hess, Jake Luna, 8 p.m., Skylark Lounge, 140 S. Broadway, Denver, $12.06. Tickets: skylarklounge.com.
Advertisement
Ken Marino & David Wain’s Middle Aged Dad Jam Band — 8 p.m., Cervantes’ Other Side, 2635 Welton St., Denver, $38.45 and up. Tickets: cervantesmasterpiece.com.
Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
Advertisement
Heir to Nothing — With The Chesters, Opium & Private Society, 8 p.m., Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St., Denver, $18.50-$23.50. Tickets: globehall.com.
Banshee Tree — With David Satori, Bloomurian, 8 p.m., Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder, $25.15-$27.15. Tickets: axs.com.
“The King Penny Radio Show” — 8-9 p.m., RISE Comedy, 1260 22nd St., Denver, $16 and up. Tickets: tinyurl.com/4cjksf3v.
80’s Night with Rachel Taulbee & Friends — 9:30 p.m., BurnDown, 476 S. Broadway, Denver; burndowndenver.com.
Saturday-Sunday
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” Holiday Ballet — Presented by the Ballet Ariel, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Parsons Theatre, 1 E. Memorial Parkway, Northglenn, $20-$40; balletariel.org.
The Denver Broncos enter Week 17 in playoff mode. With a road tilt vs. the Cincinnati Bengals, the Broncos are in a do-or-die situation.
Nine wins is nice. Delivering the first winning season since 2016 isn’t nothing. But it’s a far cry from a playoff berth.
Win just one more game and you’re in. The playoffs await. The Bengals are even more playoff-desperate, though.
How will this game shake out? Let’s go around the table to see how the Mile High Huddle staff envisions this one shaking out.
Advertisement
Scott Kennedy (@ScoutKennedy) 12-3: Any inclement weather probably hurts the Bengals’ passing game more than it hurts the Broncos offense. Cincinnati has done a better job this season of protecting Joe Burrow, but they’re still only about league average in sacks allowed (18th, 37 sacks allowed). With more to play for, Denver leans on its pass rush and running game to get the win and clinch a playoff spot.
Pick: Broncos 24, Bengals 20
Bob Morris (@BobMorrisSports) 11-4: The Bengals have won three in a row but all against teams who are out of the playoffs. This isn’t to say they’re a pushover but the Bengals haven’t been beating top teams recently. The offense is very good but the defense is not good. The key for the Broncos is to execute on offense. Do that and the Broncos will secure a playoff berth. Here’s betting they do.
Pick: Broncos 27, Bengals 24
Nick Kendell (@NickKendellMHH) 10-5: The Broncos defense has fallen dramatically over the last month. Improbable turnovers and defensive touchdowns have kept the unit afloat while the overall defensive output has faded. Fortunately for the Broncos Riley Moss will be back this week. Will that be enough for the defense to springboard back into a top 5 unit or will their recent play of mediocrity continue against one of the best offenses in football in Cincinnati? Time for Sean Payton and Bo Nix to step upand clinch that playoff berth.
Advertisement
Pick: Broncos 34, Bengals 27
Thomas Hall (@ThomasHallNFL) 10-5: Denver is going to take Broncos Country down to the playoff wire. The Broncos will be in a must-win situation in the final week of the season to punch their ticket to the postseason. The defense hasn’t been playing like it did earlier in the season and the offense has become afraid to be aggressive which spells disaster against a Bengals team still in the hunt.
Pick: Bengals 27, Broncos 20
James Campbell (@JamesC_MHH) 10-5: The Broncos have had a brilliant season which has defied expectations but face an exceedingly difficult task against the Bengals. In this one, Burrow cements his MVP credentials by carving up the Broncos’ secondary, with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins providing a very difficult matchup for Denver’s secondary despite Moss’ return. The Broncos should have their wins against the Bengals’ defense, in the air and on the ground so if there is any chance of a win for the good guys, it will come from generating long, clock-consuming drives that keep Burrow on the sideline.
Pick: Bengals 38, Broncos 24
Advertisement
Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) 10-5: Conflicted, I am. This game truly could go either way considering the Bengals’ ultra-potent offense and Denver’s regressing defense (which will get a boost with the return of Moss). Bad weather or not, this needs to be a situation where the Broncos’ offense does the heavy lifting — at least enough to combat Burrow, Chase, and company. Surely the Broncos can, and the team won’t blow another chance to lock up a playoff berth, right? I still ‘Bolieve.’
Pick: Broncos 20, Bengals 17
Dylan Von Arx (@DylanVonArxMHH) 10-5: The Broncos absolutely need a win on Saturday but it will be no easy task as Burrow is red-hot the past few games. The Denver defense will have its hands full guarding against Higgins and Chase but the Bengals defense is criminally bad. If the Broncos defense can get a few key turnovers, they’ll be back in the playoffs for the first time in forever.
Pick: Broncos 24, Cincinnati 20
Lance Sanderson (@LanceS_MHH) 10-5: We’re about to find out exactly how important Moss is to this defense. Burrow and Chase are shredding defenses this season, and Higgins is no slouch. Denver’s defense is in for a big fight, and despite the reminder on his call sheet, Payton hates running the football. This is a recipe for disaster, especially on the road with inclement weather.
Advertisement
Pick: Bengals 31, Broncos 21
Keith Cummings (@KeithC_NFL) 9-6: The biggest game since Super Bowl 50 dawns on the Broncos as they give off some desperate vibes. Maybe it’s the kick to the ribs the Broncos require, throwing away opportunities cannot happen again. It doesn’t. When they need it the most, Patrick Surtain II makes a fourth-quarter house call to seal the Broncos playoff spot.
Pick: Broncos 31, Bengals 24
Ron White (@RonWhiteNFL) 9-6: Although the Bengals defense is below average, the offense can go blow for blow with any of the top units in the league. This game comes down to the Broncos defense: Pressuring Burrow, limiting Chase and Higgins, and creating turnovers. Expect them to respond from last week’s collapse and get a hard fought win.
Pick: Broncos 28, Bengals 24
Advertisement
What happens next on the Broncos beat? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second, sign up for our free newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!
Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen) 9-6: I definitely ‘Bolieve.’ But the Broncos’ lack of second-half intensity and execution in a playoff-clinching opportunity disappointed me greatly. Payton’s lack of self-awareness as a play caller was disappointing, and I’m not convinced that Moss’s return will be the antitode to assuaging the Broncos’ precipitous defensive backslide. Burrow is out for blood, up against the wall with a slim chance of staying alive, so he’ll be out for blood. The Broncos definitely don’t want to leave their playoff destiny up to a showdown vs. the Kansas City JV team, but that’s what it comes down to.
Pick: Bengals 27, Broncos 24
Mike Evans (@MHHEvans) 8-7: The Broncos’ playoff hopes ride on their ability to dominate the turnover battle in a pivotal matchup with the Bengals. Denver’s third-ranked defense is primed to make the difference. Look for a late-game interception from Surtain or Brandon Jones to swing the momentum. Add in the Bengals’ 19th-ranked defense, and it’s easy to see the Broncos exploiting if they can generate a competent run game.
Pick: Broncos 27, Bengals 24
Advertisement
Luke Patterson (@LukePattersonLP) 8-7: Saturday’s game in Cincinatti will be the defining contest of Denver’s 2024 regular season. Should Nix and Payton will their team to victory, they’ll have surpassed all expectations for this season with a playoff berth. But if I’m being honest, I think that Denver is still one season away from being as dangerous as this Burrow/Trey Hendrickson-led Bengals squad, playing at home in sloppy weather. Hope I’m wrong.
Pick: Bengals 31, Broncos 24
Carl Dumler (@CarlDumlerMHH) 8-7: Vance Joseph took responsibility for the defensive struggles over this past month and is getting back one of the most important pieces of the defense with the return of Moss. The Bengals have been an offensive force but this is a game the Broncos get a great game out of the defense. Payton finally follows his play sheet, calling for the offense to commit to the run and the Broncos win a close one to clinch their place in the playoffs finally.
Pick: Broncos 27, Bengals 21
Erick Trickel (@ErickTrickel) 8-7: The Broncos make fans’ christmas wishes come true by beating the Bengals on the road the clinch a playoff spot. The offense bounces back after a rough few weeks, as does the defense. Surtain locks up Chase and the Broncos’ pass rush rattles Burrow and gets pressure as they go back to being an aggressive man-coverage team with Moss back in the lineup. The Broncos are playoff bound!
Advertisement
Pick: Broncos 31, Bengals 16
Kenneth Booker (@kenneth_MHH) 6-9: If Denver’s scoring defense returns to form, it has a solid chance of securing a victory. The Broncos need to apply relentless pressure on Burrow and, with Moss returning, they have a pair of cornerbacks capable of matching up against the Bengals’ talented wide receivers. Look for the Broncos to have a statement game against the Bengals as they lock up their first postseason appearance since 2015.
Pick: Broncos 34, Bengals 20
Follow Denver Broncos On SI/Mile High Huddle on Instagram, X, and Facebook and subscribe on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24924653/236780_Google_AntiTrust_Trial_Custom_Art_CVirginia__0003_1.png "Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps")
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25672934/Metaphor_Key_Art_Horizontal.png "There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does")
