Are Isaiah Stewart and Zeke Nnaji on the Denver Nuggets’ shortlist of 2020 NBA Draft targets?
The Denver Nuggets’ frontcourt depth was one of the team’s strengths last season but, unfortunately, the collective defense of the group was exposed during the 2020 NBA Playoffs. As a result, the Nuggets are hoping to use the 2020 NBA Draft to enhance the defensive potential of their frontcourt next season.
Per The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, Denver is targeting a frontcourt player in the draft, specifically Arizona’s Zeke Nnaji and Washington’s Isaiah Stewart; in fact, O’Connor has Stewart being selected by the Nuggets in his latest mock draft.
Both Nnaji and Stewart are considered to be late first-round/early second-round prospects. In addition, while Nnaji is more of a high-flyer and Stewart is more of a bruiser, both are versatile scorers and aggressive defenders with a high motor.
Of course, O’Connor’s decision to mock Stewart to the Nuggets could have been based on the information he’s received from sources but it’s still worth noting that — of Stewart and Nnaji — only Nnaji has reportedly worked out for and interviewed with Denver. Nnaji has the edge on athleticism and perimeter defense, so he may be who Denver prefers given the struggles that their frontcourt players often have when guarding players outside of the paint.
Interestingly enough, the Nuggets are also said to be “enamored” with the skillset and potential of international prospect Aleksej Pokusevski, a skilled big man who hails from Serbia (sound familiar?) and is considered a mid-to-late first round pick.
Pokusevski is more of a well-rounded player than either Nnaji or Stewart but his physical profile isn’t as promising, nor is his lack of experience against NBA-caliber players. Nonetheless, Poku could be a darkhorse candidate for the Nuggets’ 22nd overall pick, especially if they see shades of the Joker in him.
Currently, Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol are the only bigs on Denver’s roster.