The Denver Nuggets signed forward Richard Jefferson to a one-year, $2.3 million-dollar contract, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Jefferson, a 16-year NBA veteran, spent the last two seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers before being traded to and cut by the Atlanta Hawks over the weekend.
The Nuggets were wise to bring in Jefferson for a couple of reasons.
The first and most obvious is his experience. With over 1,000 games played, Jefferson has seen just about everything when it comes to the NBA. That attribute will be extremely beneficial for the young Nuggets, who have nine players under the age of 25.
Jefferson’s mentorship in the locker room was instrumental in the Cavaliers’ 2016 NBA title run and could serve a similar purpose with Denver’s youthful roster.
The Nuggets’ biggest struggles come with their inexperience: Not being able to close out games, committing foolish turnovers and other growing pains plagued the Nuggets last season. Jefferson will help clean up those issues immediately.
In addition to his locker room impact, Jefferson has the potential to serve as an impact role player on the court. He averaged just 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game last season but was used unconventionally due to Cleveland’s roster complexion. That said, Jefferson did shoot 44 percent from the field and averaged 10.6 points per 36 minutes last year. He averaged 20.4 minutes per game (nearly triple what Mike Miller, Denver’s “player/coach” the past two seasons, averaged at 7.6).
Denver is already rolling the dice starting Wilson Chandler at small forward. Chandler has only started 60-plus games three times in his career, and only once since 2009-10.
With Will Barton suffering an ankle injury at practice this afternoon, the outlook at small forward is suddenly hazy for the Nuggets – at least for the moment.
Jefferson brings veteran poise both on the floor and off. Most importantly, he will help mold the Nuggets as they continue to develop and mature in the NBA.
Considering their confusing situation at small forward and Denver’s need for veteran leadership, signing Richard Jefferson was a wise move for a franchise looking to make the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.
