The Denver Nuggets are actively exploring the trade market for forward Zeke Nnaji as the franchise looks to create additional financial flexibility under the NBA’s restrictive second apron rules.
According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, Denver is willing to attach second-round draft picks to Nnaji’s contract in an effort to facilitate a deal. Nnaji is set to earn $7.5 million during the 2026-27 season and also holds a $7.5 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign.
The move reflects Denver’s cautious offseason approach after a 54-28 regular season that ended with a six-game first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite finishing third in the Western Conference behind the Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18) and eventual Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs (62-20), the Nuggets have prioritized maintaining long-term flexibility while continuing to build around Nikola Jokić.
Nnaji, 25, has spent his entire six-year NBA career with Denver after being selected 22nd overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. However, he has never established himself as a consistent rotation player despite receiving opportunities over multiple seasons.
During the 2025-26 season, Nnaji appeared in 52 games, including four starts, averaging 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. His outside shooting remained inconsistent, as he connected on just 25.9% of his 1.0 three-point attempt per game.
For his career, Nnaji has played in 303 games while averaging 4.1 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.0 minutes. His overall shooting efficiency has remained respectable at 50.3% from the field, though he has converted 34.5% of his three-point attempts across six seasons.
The Nuggets’ frontcourt rotation has continued to evolve, reducing Nnaji’s pathway to regular minutes. Aaron Gordon remains the starting power forward, while Denver added Marvin Bagley III after waiving Jonas Valanciunas. The team also selected Trevon Brazile with the 35th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, giving the organization another young frontcourt option alongside second-year forward DaRon Holmes.
Denver’s offseason has largely focused on preserving future assets rather than making splash acquisitions. The Nuggets traded out of the first round to acquire additional second-round picks before selecting Brazile and Bryce Hopkins, signaling a greater emphasis on organizational depth and financial flexibility.
Salary cap management has become especially important as the Nuggets navigate the second apron while awaiting a potential future contract extension for Jokic. The three-time MVP is entering the 2026-27 season on a $59 million salary after both sides again postponed extension discussions until next summer.
Moving Nnaji’s contract would not dramatically reshape Denver’s roster, but it could provide additional breathing room under the collective bargaining agreement’s apron restrictions. Those rules significantly limit roster-building options for high-spending teams, making even modest salary savings valuable.
