Nuggets NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Final Picks for Every Round
Nuggets NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Final Picks for Every Round
A look at our final predictions for how the Denver Nuggets' 2026 NBA Draft will shake out.Logan Struck|
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Denver NuggetsIt is officially NBA Draft week, and while it would be great to have an idea of what the Denver Nuggets are planning to do, they have kept everything under wraps. The Nuggets hold the 26th pick for Tuesday night's first round and the 49th pick for Wednesday's second round, giving them two chances to hit on a rookie, yet there has been no indication of who they are targeting.
Still, we can try our best to predict the Nuggets' draft night choices. Of course, the Nuggets could trade their pick, but there is already so much uncertainty about who will be available for them with the 26th pick that we assume they stay put for now.
Check out our Nuggets NBA Mock Draft 1.0, and here's a look at our final predictions of how both rounds of Denver's draft will shake out.
Round 1, Pick 26: Joshua Jefferson
6'8" | Forward | 22 | Iowa State
There should be a slew of intriguing prospects available for the Nuggets at pick No. 26, depending on who falls to them, but Iowa State Cyclones product Joshua Jefferson is the best fit in my eyes. Not only do the Nuggets desperately need to add forward depth, but Jefferson fits the bill for what Denver should be looking for in a new rookie.
The 22-year-old forward has NBA size, with a versatile two-way game that would help the Nuggets on both ends of the court. Jefferson is one of the more impressive defenders in this draft class, despite having underwhelming athleticism, and he will make a living in the NBA with his all-around game.
Joshua Jefferson playmaking
— Tyler Rucker (@tyler_rucker) June 16, 2026
Hit the music pic.twitter.com/0KceXlssEF
Jefferson is arguably the best passer in this class, at least at his position, and can handle the ball and rebound, while being an overall very smart basketball player. Sure, he might not have as high a ceiling as other prospects who might be available, but for a Nuggets team in win-now mode, Jefferson can undoubtedly make an immediate impact in Denver's second unit.
It is hard to envision Jefferson struggling to find minutes wherever he lands on Tuesday night, and for a Nuggets team in need of forward depth and improved defense, it seems like an easy decision.
Round 2, Pick 49: Ugonna Onyenso
6'11" | Center | 21 | Virginia
In the Nuggets' first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, their lack of rim protection was on full display. So, could they now target the best rim protector in the 2026 draft class?
Onyenso is a monster on defense, as he averaged an ACC-leading 2.9 blocks as a senior at Virginia, despite playing just 18.6 minutes per game. Despite being on the older side, he will need some time until he is ready to play meaningful NBA minutes, though.
Sure, Onyenso is an elite rim protector, but that is also the only trait he brings to the table. For a player of his size, his rebounding in college was a bit underwhelming, and his offensive game is fairly non-existent besides off-ball rim running and sitting in the dunker spot. Still, with such a natural defensive game, he could be worth the chance in the second round for Denver.
Ugonna Onyenso is the best shot blocker in this year's draft class.
— anthony chiu (@acfilmroom) June 15, 2026
The 7-foot Nigerian big man averaged 6.5 points, five rebounds and nearly three blocks per game in his senior season at Virginia. He also measured exceptionally well at the combine, ranking among the top… pic.twitter.com/0lBDFk5zd5
A 6-foot-11 center with a 7-foot-5 wingspan is hard to find, and with a natural shot-blocking gene of this degree, Onyenso could carve out a role in the NBA, despite his other limitations. At his worst, he is still well worth a two-way contract for the Nuggets.
Published Jun 22, 2026
LOGAN STRUCKLogan Struck is a writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's On SI since 2023
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
