The Denver Nuggets are fresh into offseason mode, and they've wasted no time scheduling their first pre-draft workout. They're going to bring in Zuby Ejiofor out of St. John's University for a look after the NBA draft combine, and his workout could offer the first clue that the Nuggets are serious about going for defense first.
The Nuggets own the 26th pick in the first round of the draft, and Ejiofor is projected for a late-first-round or early-second-round pick. But, his defensive profile says the Nuggets are serious about addressing a key concern of physicality and rim protection in the paint.
Ejiofor played stout defense in college
Ejiofor was a rim protector and defensive stopper at St. John's, and he averaged 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals in 30 minutes of court action over 37 games in his final year of college. He also averaged 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, a nice compliment to his stellar defense. He's a fast big man, and he's athletic, which were two things the Nuggets needed in the paint.
One of the most impressive things about Ejiofor's game is his ability to rebound on the offensive end. Over half of his 8.1 rebounds per game from his junior season were offensive, and nearly half of this season's total. He's a beast on the offensive glass.
Ejiofor's negative is that he's a little undersized for a true five replacement, at just 6-foot-9. But makes up for it in frame and strength, at 245 pounds. That's what gives him the leverage he needs to box out and grab all those offensive boards.
The Nuggets wanted more size as well
Even though Ejiofor might be a reach at the 26th pick, his profile shows that the Nuggets could be looking for more size and physicality, both of which they need to shore up. The Nuggets were out-hustled in Game 6 of the Timberwolves series, allowing 20 second-chance points and 64 points in the paint.
Size and physicality, and strength, all things Ejiofor possesses, would have been a tremendous help to the Nuggets, especially at the top of the second and fourth quarters in the non-Nikola Jokic minutes. It's why this is such an encouraging sign to start the draft season. The Nuggets, just by looking at Ejiofor's profile, look to be addressing a couple of their biggest needs in one package.
We do know all options are on the table for the Nuggets, and that includes going over the luxury tax again, which is likely. But it would be nice to see them fill a need in the draft for a much lower price than they may have to pay in free agency. Especially because that frees them up to spend on another need elsewhere.
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