The Denver Nuggets, after trading down from the 26th overall pick in the first round, made the first draft selection in the Jon Wallace and Ben Tenzer front office era.
The Nuggets selected Trevon Brazile with the 35th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a 6’9″ athletic power forward with above-the-rim impact and upside.
Brazile played for five years at the college level. He played his last two years at Arkansas under head coach John Calipari and showed two-way impact as an above-the-rim threat. In 36 games, Brazile averaged 13.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. His all-around game, along with a high level of athleticism, give him a leg up in a transition to the NBA.
The Nuggets acquired the 35th pick, along with two future second round picks, from the San Antonio Spurs for the 26th overall pick. The Spurs selected Tarris Reed with that selection, meaning both players will be tied to each other for the foreseeable future.
What the Nuggets end up doing with Brazile is up for debate. The Nuggets have Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, Zeke Nnaji, and DaRon Holmes II under contract for the 2026-27 season. They also are hoping to retain Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones, both of whom spent time at power forward last year.
Brazile will likely sign a full-time contract and play a reserve role for the Nuggets, but his athleticism and defensive upside should give him a pathway toward playing time if he can pick up the NBA game quickly. The Nuggets made it their business to improve in both departments, and Brazile gives them another possible option in the frontcourt to bolster the defense and athleticism around Nikola Jokic.
