Denver Nuggets, Richard Jefferson Agree on One-Year, $2.3 Million Deal
It appears that Richard Jefferson didn't really have to wait long to find a new home.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report that Jefferson has inked a one-year, $2.3-million contract with the Nuggets on Monday, and the veteran forward has confirmed that he's going to Denver.
"I picked Denver because I believe in what they are doing and building and believe I can add and contribute on and off the court to their nucleus in a positive way," Jefferson told The Vertical via a text message.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The Nuggets will release Jameer Nelson to make room for Jefferson on the roster, per Wojnarowski. The move should clear the way for Jamal Murray and Emmanuel Mudiay to play more minutes at the point guard position this season.
Jefferson was a key reserve for the Cleveland Cavaliers in his two seasons with the team, but they shipped him to the Atlanta Hawks last week and he was immediately released when the trade became official.
"If our front office deemed it necessary to make a move prior to the start of the regular season, that's something I fully support and they have my 1,000 percent belief in what they're trying to do," Michael Malone said, according to the Associated Press.
"We embrace whoever else comes in and we make the most of it," he added.
Jefferson can play both forward positions, but he will probably back up Wilson Chandler at small forward since the Nuggets already have a logjam at power forward.
In 79 games (13 starts) last season, Jefferson averaged 5.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and an assist while playing 20.4 minutes per game. He also shot 44.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the three-point line.
The Milwaukee Bucks were interested in signing him as well before he decided to join the Nuggets.
