Zeke Nnaji has had no role for the Denver Nuggets this season. The team drafted Nnaji 22nd overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. Initially, he looked like a rotation player, shooting 51.6% from the field and 46.3% from three in his second season. Despite showing promise that season, his production fell off. Despite his drop-off in production, the Nuggets signed Nnaji to a four-year, $32 million contract before the 2023-24 season. Since then, Nnaji has had more games playing under 10 minutes than over. His minutes this season have dropped even further, as he is averaging only six minutes per contest. Despite the decreased role, he has played great in the past two games, which could earn him playing time heading toward the playoffs.
Zeke Nnaji is Finding a Role in the Nuggets’ Rotation
Back-to-Back Defensive Performances
Nnaji has played 20 minutes or more in only two games this season, both coming this week. After losing Peyton Watson to injury, the Nuggets turned to Nnaji to fill his minutes. He has done exactly that in these past two contests. Michael Malone, the Nuggets’ head coach, gives out a “defensive player of the game” award after each win. Nnaji has won it in both of the past two games. He is defending well, and making an impact during his minutes.
Back-to-back
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On Monday, the Nuggets played the New Orleans Pelicans. Nnaji was the main defender on Zion Williamson, who only scored 14 points on 13 shots. Over the past two games, Nnaji has held his opponents to 30.8% from the floor as the main defender. That number is -14.6% lower than those players usually shoot. In the current role Nnaji is in, it was hard for him to show his defensive capabilities, but he showed off his skills on Monday.
He is staying in front of the players he is guarding and making a difference. Against the Charlotte Hornets, he racked up five blocks in only 22 minutes, which earned him his first start in two seasons against the Pelicans. Nnaji’s defense compliments the skillset of Nikola Jokić extremely well. He played great alongside Jokić in the starting lineup, alleviating some defensive pressure off of him. With Aaron Gordon still dealing with a lingering calf injury, Nnaji could see himself set for more starts in the near future.
Staying Ready for Minutes
Despite only playing six minutes per game this season, Nnaji has stayed ready for minutes. His defense showed up in his two recent games, where he showed he can guard the best players on that end. He has clearly worked on his offensive skill set. He shot over 50% in both of the last two games, including 2/5 from three. With the Nuggets having shooting woes throughout the season, having a backup big being a threat from three could be big. Here’s what his teammate, Michael Porter Jr., had to say about his work ethic via DNVR Nuggets on X:
“Zeke [Nnaji] this year may have taken the crown as the hardest working player on the team… When we get into cities, he’s going back and finding a gym at night. It doesn’t matter if he plays, it doesn’t matter if he has a bad game… he’s been consistent… I feel like I’ve never seen him miss a day.”
With the NBA being one of the hardest leagues to make as a professional athlete, working hard can be the difference in carving out a role or falling out of the league. Nnaji has had his opportunities where he has underperformed, but he has stayed consistent in his work. With his bump in minutes, he can prove he belongs in the NBA and carve out a role on a championship-contending team.
The Nuggets have had their issues with backup big men this season, with DeAndre Jordan filling that role inconsistently. Nnaji could re-define his role in the Nuggets’ rotation if he plays well with his current minutes. If his offense can stay efficient while getting shots within the flow of the offense, it would give the Nuggets confidence to play him in important minutes. Nnaji could align himself for a rotation role heading into the playoffs with his defensive prowess alone, but adding efficient offense would be another boost.
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