Both Higgins and Ruffin were long shots to make the final cut. Higgins was a rookie out of Colorado, while Ruffin is a nine-year NBA veteran and a Denver native.

DeMarre Carroll and rookie guard Julyan Stone made the final cut, it isn’t likely that either will see much playing time. Carroll has a role as an energy player and could start if the Nuggets start to get plagued with injuries. Stone is the Nuggets third point guard and probably won’t suit up on most nights.

Nuggets keep Afflalo

The Denver Nuggets are close to finally securing arguably the most important piece from last season. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Nuggets will lock up Arron Afflalo to a 5-year deal.

Stein tweeted around 6 p.m. Monday night,

Just going up on ESPN online: Sources say Nuggets and restricted free agent Arron Afflalo agree to five-year deal in excess of $43 million

According to Stein there are bonuses added to the deal that would help it reach $43 million. Afflalo will automatically be penciled in as the Nuggets shooting guard with Andre Miller, Rudy Fernandez and Corey Brewer all getting minutes off the bench.

Miller will get the starting nod at shooting guard on Tuesday when the Nuggets host the Phoenix Suns. Here is how Afflalo’s contract compares to other guards that signed contracts this season.  (more…)