Zeke Nnaji's path to the Nuggets' rotation began on a walk with Tim Connelly

Zeke Nnaji met Nuggets president Tim Connelly for a long walk in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood last June. The two discussed Nnaji’s rookie season that had just ended after the Suns swept the Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs and chatted about life and what was next for the former No. 22 overall pick.

It was Connelly’s way of laying the foundation and expectation for Nnaji’s sophomore season, one where the big man’s minutes, role, and responsibility could change. While Denver was still going to be deep in the frontcourt, Nnaji needed to stay ready after only playing spot minutes during his rookie year.

“He’s going to be a heck of a 3-and-D guy,” Connelly said at the time.

Nnaji has gotten his first opportunity to play consistent rotation minutes this season over Denver’s last four games as injuries have hit the Nuggets’ lineup. He’s logged 11+ minutes in four-straight outings and has impressed. Saturday vs. the Knicks, Nnaji tallied a career-high 21 points on 7-13 shooting (5-9 from 3), 8 rebounds (2 offensive), and 2 steals. It was the exclamation point on a string of really strong two-way performances.

Remember Nnaji’s awful Summer League a few months ago? It’s a distant memory. Honestly, it never needs to be brought up again. Nnaji shot 40.7% (24-59) from 3 his rookie season. In 10 games this year, he’s converting 63% (17-27) of his triples. He’s a legit shooter. Nnaji leads the NBA in 3-point percentage out of players attempting at least two 3s per game.

He’s also flashed the defensive versatility that piqued Denver’s interest in the 2020 draft. Nnaji’s making the extra plays too. His hands were active Saturday and Nnaji chipped in on the glass vs. the Knicks, an area where Nuggets coaches have wanted to see more from him.

It’s all translated into a heightened role. At the moment, Nnaji has jumped JaMychal Green in Denver’s pecking order off the bench. Despite Green’s really poor open to the season, it’s still a notable feat. The Nuggets clearly came into this season with a projected rotation that included heavy minutes for Green. He was solid off the bench for Denver last season and played big minutes in the playoffs. The Nuggets also paid him last summer. Handsomely. Green’s making $8.2 million this season and has a player option for that same amount next year. Denver’s pretty heavily invested.

But Nnaji’s now the Nuggets’ first big off their bench. As a result, he’s gotten meaningful minutes alongside Nikola Jokic. Since Jokic returned from injury three games ago, the Nuggets have outscored their opponent 80-56 (+24) in the 27 minutes that Jokic and Nnaji have spent on the floor together. It’s Denver’s best two-man +/- over the last three games (150.9 Offensive Rating, 101.8 Defensive Rating, 49.1 Net Rating).

Nnaji’s constant hustle has also caught Malone’s eye. It’s something you know you’re getting with him every time he steps on the floor. You can’t say that for some of the other backup frontcourt options Malone has at his disposal.

Denver’s coaching staff saw that same motor over the summer. Nnaji spent most of his offseason on the Nuggets’ practice court and in the team’s weight room. That work he put in then is paying off now. As Connelly instructed last June, he stayed ready for his opportunity.

Nnaji has surely cemented his spot in the Nuggets’ rotation going forward. He’s been that good, that consistent, and has done what he can to help tie together a second unit that’s been all over the place over the Nuggets’ first 22 games.

So what’s next?

“I’m not usually one to ever get complacent with a taste of success,” Nnaji said. “I want to keep building off that.”