According to Malika Andrews of ESPN, the Denver Nuggets aren’t done making moves and will look to sign Brooklyn Nets forward Jeff Green to a two-year, $10 million contract.
Andrews notes that the deal includes a player option for the 2022-23 season.
Green has bounced around the league for a variety of teams before ultimately finding a rhythm as a role player next to elite superstars. He had success with LeBron James in Cleveland, James Harden in Houston, and Kevin Durant (plus Harden and Kyrie Irving) in Brooklyn Nets this past year. He averaged 27.0 minutes, 11.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 49.2% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range. He was an integral piece to what Brooklyn hoped to accomplish last year, and he will bring much of the same to the Nuggets: veteran leadership, scoring off the bench, and switchability on the defensive end.
After the Nuggets reportedly re-signed Will barton and JaMychal Green to new contracts, the roster is beginning to come into focus. Here’s where the Nuggets currently stand:
Guards: Jamal Murray, Monte Morris, Facundo Campazzo, Nah’Shon Hyland
Wings: Will Barton, P.J. Dozier
Forwards: Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Jeff Green, Vlatko Cancar, Bol Bol
Bigs: Nikola Jokić, JaMychal Green, Zeke Nnaji
The Nuggets certainly have the makings of a formidable rotation, even with Murray out for the first chunk of the season. Jeff Green adds to that mix as a versatile forward who can slide down and play a small ball center spot from time to time. He likely won’t be asked to do that as often in Denver, but he’s certainly capable.
It appears that the Nuggets are trending toward moving on from veteran bigs Paul Millsap and JaVale McGee. Though one or both could be re-signed, it would likely take some alterations to a roster that already has 14 roster spots committed.
Still, this is a positive sign that the Nuggets are focused on competing for a championship immediately. They knew they were close last season had they been healthy. Now, the Nuggets are well positioned to go for it this coming year. With Green on board, the Nuggets are hoping to add an additional element of mobility and outside shooting that they didn’t have from their regular rotation last year.