The NBA Draft is nearly here, and that means an end to the speculation, and it's time for all the teams and the Denver Nuggets to make their selections. The Nuggets don't have the highest pick in the first round, but at number 26 and number 49 of the second round, the Nuggets can take a couple of swings to land players who can make an impact in 2026-27 to complete the dream draft.
The Nuggets should have the opportunity to select one of the draft prospects who have been mentioned in the blogs, and their dream draft would address pressing issues on the defensive side of the ball and provide rim protection.
That means Zuby Ejiofor is the more likely dream target for the Nuggets, and his defensive profile shows exactly why the Nuggets need to target him.
Zuby Ejiofor was an elite defender in college
The 6-foot-8/9, 245-pound forward/center from St. John's University was the Big East Conference Player of the Year for 2025-26, and he did it on the back of his crazy athletic defense. Ejiofor is an elite rim protector, blocking 2.1 shots and proving to be an immovable object in the paint, much like Aaron Gordon is for the Nuggets. Ejiofor is an explosive shot-blocker, using his quickness and timing to affect many shots around the rim.
Ejiofor is a rim protector on the level of one of the best rim protectors in the NBA, Isaiah Stewart, and the two are similar in size and stature, but Ejiofor may have the better offensive game. Ejiofor chipped in 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, shooting 53.6% from the floor and a respectable 71.8% from the free-throw line.
He's the perfect fit for the Nuggets' need for defense, athleticism, rim protection, and tenacity. He's a high-motor player with a ton of energy who never stops working on defense. Ejiofor's final FanSided Big Board rank comes in at 24, right in the Nuggets wheelhouse.
Swing two finds the Nuggets selecting Zuby's teammate
The Nuggets should be swamped by the Red Storm after their second-round pick. The Nuggets' dream draft haul delivers Dillon Mitchell, Zuby's teammate from St. John's. Mitchell is a 6-foot-8, 210-pound wing who averaged 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 2025-26.
Mitchell might not be heralded like the rest of the first-round class, but he's very athletic, a great defender, and he can slash to the rim. The issue with Mitchell is shooting. He won't pop threes, but the Nuggets don't need that. They need defense, and Mitchell could come to the Nuggets on a two-way deal or rookie minimum to provide depth and spark off the bench.
Defense, athleticism, and rim protection all get huge upgrades with the Nuggets' dream draft haul for 2025-26. Now we all wait to see if the dream becomes a reality.
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