The Denver Nuggets had plans to look at Zuby Ejiofor first, and after an impressive session at the NBA Draft combine, the Nuggets have a lot more to consider. Ejiofor impressed, and suddenly, you can see why the Nuggets had their eye on the St. John's Red Storm forward.
Ejiofor has been projected to be a late-first-round or early-second-round pick, but he's likely to move up everyone's draft boards after his impressive shooting performance. The Nuggets were likely interested mostly in his defensive prowess and rim protection.
Ejiofor was an impressive 17 for 30 in off-the-dribble shooting, 13 for 25 in spot-up shooting, 12 for 25 in the three-point drill, and 16 for 28 in mid-side drill. Impressive numbers.
Ejiofor could be an instant boost to the defense
The Nuggets are in need of rim protection and defense as a whole, and Ejiofor can provide both of those. Ejiofor averaged 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals last season in 37 starts for St. John's.
The Nuggets desperately needed rim protection against the Timberwolves, and it was one reason for the team's early playoff exit. It's good to see that the Nuggets could be trying to address that with a standout player.
Ejiofor was the 2025-26 Big East Player of the Year, averaging 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds to accompany the stellar defensive play.
And physically, he's a bigger Aaron Gordon. Ejiofor is quick and athletic, and at 6 feet 9 inches and 245 pounds, he could be another immovable object in the Nuggets' paint.
The Nuggets need to get this one right
The Nuggets met with Ejiofor after the combine, and they weren't the only ones scheduled to do so. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, and Brooklyn Nets all have a meeting scheduled with Ejiofor.
The meeting should help gather more information for the Nuggets, who need to get this draft pick right. The Nuggets had no picks last year, and in 2024, they took DaRon Holmes in the first round, who has yet to crack the rotation but has excelled in the G-League. He was supposed to be the replacement in the non-Nikola Jokic minutes, but that hasn't panned out.
The Nuggets need to add athleticism and defense at a bargain price because they're strapped for cash next year. The Nuggets may not find what they're looking for on the free agent market because they may not be able to afford it. But the draft pick is baked into next season's salary, so the Nuggets need to choose wisely, because that player may see decent playing time.
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