The Denver Nuggets, just two years after clinching an NBA championship, find themselves at a crucial turning point. With a record of 12-10, they currently occupy seventh place in the Western Conference, indicating potential struggles ahead.
Nikola Jokic continues to be the team’s standout offensive player. Despite being recognized as the best player in the NBA, the Nuggets understand that they cannot depend solely on his performance. To enhance their chances of success, they need other players to step up and may also need to explore trade options to bolster the roster.
Zeke Nnaji’s time with the Denver Nuggets has been somewhat perplexing. Although he has shown flashes of promising shooting skills and defensive versatility, he has struggled to find a consistent role in the team’s rotation.
In theory, Nnaji’s skill set should make him a valuable asset in a modern NBA offense, potentially serving as a floor-spacing big with solid defensive mobility. However, he has yet to realize this potential, falling short of expectations. Moreover, he has been outperformed by younger players like Christian Braun, who has secured a spot in the starting lineup.
In a surprising decision in 2023, the Nuggets extended Nnaji’s contract for four years at $32 million. Currently, he primarily sees playing time during garbage minutes and is often not included in the bench rotation. His limited appearances this season have resulted in averages of just 1.3 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.2 assists, with a shooting percentage of 40.9%.
Given these statistics, there is little urgency among teams to pursue a trade for Nnaji. Instead, he may be included as part of a trade package alongside a more prominent Nuggets player and some draft picks. Ultimately, it appears that the Nuggets need to consider moving on from Nnaji to better align with their goals.
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