Following a shocking first-round exit in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets enter the offseason surrounded by uncertainty. While Nikola Jokić remains the undisputed cornerstone of the franchise, the supporting cast faces significant questions. With key wing players heading toward free agency and the front office open to listening to trade offers, Denver is poised to reshape its roster — starting with the NBA Draft.
The Nuggets currently hold the No. 26 overall pick in the first round. According to a recent mock draft from Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, Denver could select Amari Allen, a versatile forward from Alabama, to inject fresh talent and long-term upside into the wing rotation.
The Case for Amari Allen
Amari Allen brings a well-rounded skill set that fits the modern NBA prototype for a big wing. At 6-foot-8 (or taller in listed measurements), the Alabama product offers size, mobility, and basketball IQ. In his freshman season (2025-2026), Allen started 24 of 32 games, averaging 28.2 minutes per night. He posted solid averages of 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 44.6% from the field and 34.1% from three-point range.
“He has the kind of versatility that makes you wonder why the proverbial jack-of-all-trades gets such a bad rap,” Buckley noted. “He hasn’t mastered any skill, but he’s a big wing who can handle, shoot and pass, and he shouldn’t get skewered on defense.”
Allen’s ability to create off the dribble, facilitate for teammates, and stretch the floor with his outside shot gives him immediate appeal as a high-upside developmental piece late in the first round.
Uncertainty Surrounding Denver’s Wing Rotation
The Nuggets’ current wing group is in flux heading into the summer. Spencer Jones is an impending restricted free agent, while veterans Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. are set to hit unrestricted free agency. That leaves Peyton Watson as a critical piece — and potentially the most difficult to retain.
Watson has shown significant growth in Denver. Over four seasons, he has averaged 8.7 points per game on 47.9% shooting. In the 2025-2026 season, those numbers jumped to 14.6 points per game on 49.1% shooting from the field and a strong 41.1% from three. The Nuggets view him as a priority re-signing, but his rising value as a restricted free agent could attract aggressive offers from other teams willing to pay a premium.
If Watson walks or commands a salary that strains Denver’s books, the need for wing depth becomes urgent. Even if he returns, adding a player like Allen provides insurance, competition, and a different stylistic dimension.
Why Allen Represents a Smart, High-Upside Fit
Drafting purely for need is risky this late in the first round, yet Allen aligns well with Denver’s potential roster gaps. His blend of size, playmaking, and defensive versatility could allow him to contribute immediately in spot minutes while developing into a more complete player alongside Jokić.
The Alabama forward’s motor and ability to impact games in multiple ways — scoring in the paint, knocking down threes, and making smart passes — position him to “bring the chaos” on both ends of the floor. For a Nuggets team looking to stay competitive in a loaded Western Conference, adding a young, cost-controlled wing with starter potential is a logical move.
As the draft approaches in June, all eyes will be on how Denver’s front office navigates free agency and uses its draft capital. Selecting Amari Allen at No. 26 could be the first step toward rebuilding wing stability and injecting new energy into a roster that knows it must evolve to chase another title.
The Western Conference has been warned.