What’s The Big Man Rotation?
After being in and out of the lineup to start his career, forward-center Zeke Nnaji found firmer footing towards the end of the 2024-25 season. However, he sat out until the second half in the Nuggets preseason opener. When he did get in, Nnaji tallied four points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 12 minutes. Versatility aside, he went 2-6 from the field and 0-2 from 3.
Meanwhile, after being forced to sit out for the entirety of 2024-25 due to injury, DaRon Holmes II was on the court for nine minutes in Denver’s preseason opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In his playing time, he tallied five points, two assists and one rebounds. He took just three field goals, making one of his two 3-point attempts and heading to the free-throw line after getting fouled on a 2-point attempt.
Both were thought to be in line for minutes behind Aaron Gordon or Nikola Jokic entering the offseason. Yet, Peyton Watson was the one who subbed in for Gordon, reprising a role he’s played throughout his young career. Possessing more quick-twitch athleticism than either Nnaji or Holmes, he’s capable of mimicking Gordon as a cutter and multi-positional defender. So far as Jonas Valanciunas, he’s set to be Jokic’s first Euro-style backup since Jusuf Nurkic.
Of course, Nnaji or Holmes could still be used situationally. Outside of 6-foot-8 and 215-pound Kessler Edwards, who was asked to play center for the injury-decimated Dallas Mavericks last season, they’re the Nuggets only athletic, floor-spacing bigs.
