Nuggets prepared for life without Barton
By Evan Siegel
The Denver Nuggets are likely going to be without Will Barton through the remainder of the season.
The restart of the NBA season has not been entirely smooth for every team, and the Nuggets have been hit hard without Gary Harris or Will Barton. Both wings being absent from play has in part led to the emergence of Michael Porter Jr. offensively and could end up preparing the team for the eventual departure of Barton in a possible trade.
Barton’s play has been a little up-and-down ever since he signed a contract extension back in July of 2018. Barton is going to be 30 years old next season and between his deal and Harris’s $84 million pact, the Nuggets are a bit strapped for flexibility.
When looking through the Nuggets’ roster, it still appears as though they may be one player away. Neither Harris or Barton have quite measured up to those lofty numbers, and the potential that Michael Porter Jr. carries is undeniable. The Nuggets now have the opportunity to evaluate whether or not Barton and/or Harris are expendable in the trade and free agency markets.
Barton’s deal is a little more team friendly, as he is standing on a 4 year/$53 million mark. Harris will be more difficult to move and would require absorbing a much larger contract than Barton. Between Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets are logically giving the keys to the car to Porter Jr., who could complete a big three and make the team’s offense next to unstoppable.
Going forward, the Nuggets may have their front court completely changed. Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee are both unrestricted free agents, and Jerami Grant has a player option that he will likely exercise in pursuit of a well-deserved pay day. If the Nuggets break the bank to re-sign Grant, then the team will be paying large sums to Murray, Jokic, Grant, Harris, and Barton.
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The Nuggets losing Barton is not going to help their chances in the bubble this year, but it could help solve a crowded backcourt problem and illuminate Michael Porter Jr. further in Denver.