Guard Nelson is waived
Nuggets clear way to sign veteran Jefferson
SALT LAKE CITY» Veteran point guard Jameer Nelson has been waived by the Nuggets, league sources confirmed to The Denver Post, clearing a spot on the 15-man roster for Denver to sign forward Richard Jefferson.
Jefferson was not in Utah for the Nuggets’ opener against the Jazz but could join the team as early as Thursday, league sources said. Jefferson will sign a one-year, $2.3 million contract.
Nelson averaged 9.2 points, 5.1 assists and 2.6 rebounds for the Nuggets last season, emerging as the starting point guard as Denver made its playoff push. He missed the bulk of training camp with a toe injury and started one preseason game.
Nelson was absent from the Nuggets’ Tuesday practice in Denver and from Wednesday’s shootaround in Salt Lake City, prompting coach Michael Malone to say he had “tremendous respect” for Nelson.
“His ability to mentor and help young players is something that probably people didn’t hear enough about,” Malone said. “Jameer has a great basketball mind, and he has a passion for the game. … Jameer had a huge impact while he was here.”
Without Nelson, Denver turns its point guard duties over to youngsters Jamal Murray and Emmanuel Mudiay. Murray, who averaged 9.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while playing both guard spots as a rookie in 2016-17, started Wednesday’s opener against the Jazz.
Jefferson, 37, became an unrestricted free agent Monday after he was waived by the Atlanta Hawks following a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game for the Cavaliers last season while shooting 44.6 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from 3-point range. He won a championship with the Cavaliers in 2016 and also played for the Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks and New Jersey Nets during his lengthy career.
Known around the league for his engaging personality, Jefferson adds another veteran presence to a young Nuggets team aiming for its first playoff berth since 2013. Denver is also a sensible destination for Jefferson because of his friendship with Nuggets president and governor Josh Kroenke.
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” after Tuesday’s practice.
“Anytime you can be around a player that has a resume like Richard does, I think you’re better off for it,” Malone said. Footnotes. Nuggets rookie forward Tyler Lydon was inactive for Wednesday’s opener against the Jazz. So were “two-way” players Torrey Craig and Monte Morris, who will spend 45 days as members of Denver’s active roster but the bulk of the season in the G-League. All three players were present in Salt Lake City. … No Nuggets were listed on the injury report.