The Denver Nuggets pick late in first round of the 2026 NBA Draft at 26th-overall, but with just a few days left until the draft arrives, they could do something to change that and boost their chances at picking a premier player in the process. 

A recent report from Sports Illustrated's Logan Struck proposed two possible scenarios where the Nuggets could trade up in the draft, with the more advantageous of the two for Denver being trading Cameron Johnson and their 26th pick for Patrick Williams and the Chicago Bulls' 15th-overall pick.

This trade would catapult the Denver into a much more favorable draft position and greatly widens their options when it comes to picking players. 

In this scenario, there are three options ahead of the Nuggets that could fill their roster needs and ensure that they can stay competitive next season. 

Hannes Steinbach has mostly flown under the radar in this draft, but that's less a fault of him as a player and more a condition of being in such a talented draft class. 

He still presents tremendous and add would add extra size to the Nuggets that could use to help lessen the burden on Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon on the front court. 

In his freshman season with the Huskies, Steinbach averaged 18.5 points, a conference-leading 11.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

Adding another physical presence and defensive-minded player is never a bad idea and considering the strength of the Denver offense as it is, Steinbach could add an extra lift that Denver could use to to slow down some of the more aggressive offenses in the Western Conference.

Cameron Carr presents offensive versatility and would supplement the loss of Johnson if the hypothetical trade proposed by Struck pans out, or if the Nuggets move Johnson in any other trade this offseason. 

He has three seasons of collegiate experience, two at Tennessee before his final season at Baylor, and that time in the SEC should prove to be worthy experience to help adapt to the physicality at the NBA level.

He averaged 18.9 points and 5.8 rebounds with Baylor this past season and his ability to play on both ends of the court and push the pace offensively while spacing the floor, evidenced by his 37.4% three point percentage on 6.1 attempts per game this season, could make him a valuable addition to the Denver roster.

Karim Lopez is one of the premier international players available in the 2026 draft and while he may be snatched up before the Nuggets would have a chance at him, even at their newly-elevated draft position, should he fall in the draft and be available for the Nuggets, they would have good reason to pick him up.

Lopez has played three international seasons in both Spain and Australia and showed impressive growth as a utility player in the 2025-26 season, averaging 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, two assists and 1.2 steals per game.

While undersized for a typical power forward at 6'5, Lopez's athleticism and defensive abilities make him an intriguing hybrid forward that could add some much needed depth to the Nuggets roster.