The Denver Nuggets decided not to make a big splash of a trade on draft night.
Instead, they went to the desert and selected University of Arizona forward Zeke Nnaji with the 22nd overall pick.
Then, they agreed to acquire guard RJ Hampton, whom the Milwaukee Bucks drafted 24th and then traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Nnaji is 6-11 and 240 pounds. At 19 years old, he was Pac-12 Freshman of the Year last season and averaged 16.1 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting 57.0% from the field and 76.0% from the free throw line last year for the Wildcats.
The deal for Hampton, 19, will become official next week. After being a projected lottery pick out of Frisco Liberty High School (TX), Hampton chose to play in New Zealand this past season and he averaging 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 15 games.
Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly will speak with reporters on Thursday. Connelly will not be able to speak about the trade for Hampton until the league signs off on it.
Highlights of Zeke Nnaji.
Nnaji doesn't just play basketball well. He's a pretty darn good piano player, too.
Highlights of RJ Hampton.