The Nuggets added some size and energy on Wednesday when they selected Arizona big man Zeke Nnaji with the No. 22 pick in the NBA draft.
Here’s a look at how the national experts graded Denver’s pick:
Bleacher Report | Zach Buckley | Grade: C
“He seems simple enough to plug into a rotation as a high-energy, athletic big who can motor his way onto the scoreboard with interior finishes and putbacks. But he could offer more offensive potential with time.” .
CBS Sports | Gary Parrish and Kyle Boone | Grade: C-
“This just seems like a reach. He’s a borderline first-round pick — I had him in the second — and this is a bit too high. Nnaji is very athletic but not the highest upside player because he needs to work on his defense and skills.” .
ESPN | Jonathan Givony | No grade
“With Mason Plumlee entering free agency, the Nuggets opted to plug an immediate hole at backup center with Zeke Nnaji, who also offers the ability to potentially play spot minutes next to Nikola Jokic if his 3-point shot can improve as expected. A hard-playing big man who can switch on pick-and-rolls and get off the ground quickly for finishes, Nnaji has several role-playing attributes winning teams like the Nuggets covet.” .
The Ringer | Jonathan Tjarks | Grade: B
“Has the Mason Plumlee era in Denver come to an end? There’s no need to spend $13 million a year for someone to back up Nikola Jokic. Nnaji has more offensive skill than most rim-rolling big men in the NBA and should be able to give Jokic some much-needed breathers and catch lobs for him in limited minutes together. It never hurts to have more athletes around the Nuggets’ All-Star center, either. NBA teams clearly think Sean Miller had more talent on his roster than Arizona’s up-and-down performance last season indicated. Do better, coach.” .
Sporting News | Jordan Greer | Grade: B-
“Nnaji could be part of an NBA rotation for years to come, as he is a capable finisher and has flashed a nice shooting stroke. Not exactly Defensive Player of the Year material, though. With Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee possibly leaving in free agency, Nnaji makes some sense as a backup.” .
