BARTON “READY TO GO” AFTER SCARY MOMENT
Michael Malone’s eyes widened when he saw — and heard — Will Barton fall to the ground in pain while playing 1-on-1 after the Nuggets’ Monday practice. But Malone’s mood quickly flipped to relief when the coach went down to the locker room and saw Barton joking around with teammates.
Turns out Barton simply rolled his ankle. He practiced fully Tuesday and is “ready to go” for Wednesday’s season opener at Utah.
“It was a little scary when it first happened, but I’m fine,” Barton said.
Barton, who averaged 13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game last season, will be one of Denver’s first players off the bench in 2017-18.
No Jameer, no Jefferson.
Two players who were not at Tuesday’s Nuggets practice: Jameer Nelson and Richard Jefferson.
Jefferson is close to signing a one-year contract with the Nuggets, league sources confirmed to The Denver Post on Monday night. And ESPN reported that Nelson would probably be waived to make room for Jefferson on the 15-man roster.
Because the transaction is not yet official, Malone could not speak specifically about Jefferson joining the Nuggets. But Malone coached Jefferson when he was an assistant with the Golden State Warriors and called Jefferson a “consummate professional.”
“Anytime you can be around a player that has a résumé like Richard does, I think you’re better off for it,” Malone said. “I wish Richard the best of luck wherever he lands.”
Malone added he has “tremendous respect” for Nelson, who emerged as the Nuggets’ starting point guard during last season’s playoff push.
“His ability to mentor and help young players is something that probably people didn’t hear enough about,” Malone said.
Lyles returns to Utah.
Trey Lyles has never been inside the visitors’ locker room at Vivint Smart Arena in Salt Lake City.
But thanks to a scheduling coincidence, Lyles’ first game as a Nugget will be against his old team, the Utah Jazz.
“It’s an exciting moment for me,” Lyles said, “just to be able to go out there and to play against former teammates and guys that I was with for two years.”
Lyles was set to meet with Nuggets coaches Monday to provide insight on Utah’s play calls, personnel and playing style. Lyles expects the Jazz to remain “really functional” as one of the NBA’s top defenses but to look “a lot different” on offense after star Gordon Hayward left Utah to sign with the Boston Celtics.
Lyles is competing with Kenneth Faried for the Nuggets’ backup minutes at power forward after joining Denver in a draft-night trade.
Quotable.
Barton, on the season opener: “It’s like Christmas almost. Everybody goes to sleep early the night before, getting ready to wake up and get those presents.”