The Denver Nuggets hold the 26th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and view it as a chance to add rotational depth rather than a franchise cornerstone. The team enters the draft with clear needs at backup forward. Defensive impact and playmaking stand out as priorities for a roster built around Nikola Jokic.

Joshua Jefferson averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game as a senior at Iowa State while earning consensus Second Team All-American honors. Jefferson fits Denver's system as a 6-foot-8 forward who switches defensively across positions and delivers guard-like passing from the forward spot. That profile gives the Nuggets a low-usage connector who can slide in beside Aaron Gordon or fill in during injury stretches.

Zuby Ejiofor posted 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals per game at St. John's. He shot 53.6 percent from the field with a 7-foot-2 wingspan that helped him rank among the class's top frontcourt defenders. Ejiofor brings elite rim protection and versatility that could stabilize the second unit even if his size forces him into a power forward role alongside Jokic.

It remains hard to pinpoint which prospect sits at the top of Denver's draft board, yet Jefferson could be the exact player the Nuggets are looking for. The experienced forward excels on defense with an intriguing offensive game as one of the best passers in this class. While his combine results were underwhelming, he showed more than enough in college to prove he can be a true difference-maker at the next level.

Ejiofor is a widely projected second-rounder, yet he is an ideal target for the Nuggets at No. 26. Even though he might be a bit undersized against NBA competition, he is one of the best frontcourt defenders in this class and would be a very valuable addition to Denver's bench. There are some questions about Ejiofor's rebounding and overall offense, but his defensive presence would address the thinness the Nuggets have shown in their second unit during recent postseason runs.

The late first round rarely produces stars. The Nuggets' realistic targets at 26 emphasize exactly the defensive reliability and connective skills that have separated their best lineups from the rest of the league. If either Jefferson or Ejiofor lands in Denver's lap on draft night, the front office would be pleased with the chance to bolster forward depth and improve their defense.