Between Nov. 19 and Nov. 23, the Denver Nuggets will gain more clarity about the future of three players.
With the start of free agency right around the corner, the Denver Nuggets will choose between continuity and re-tooling.
Per the Denver Post’s Mike Singer, Monte Morris’ contract becomes fully guaranteed for the 2020-21 season on Nov. 20 and Keita Bates-Diop’s contract becomes fully guaranteed on Nov. 23.
Also per memo: Jerami Grant must make a decision on his player option by 3 p.m. MT on Nov. 19. https://t.co/hUuEzJq4f2
— Mike Singer (@msinger) November 15, 2020
Monte Morris
Morris signed a three-year, $4.7 million contract with the Nuggets in 2018.
Since being drafted by Denver in the second-round of the 2017 NBA Draft, Morris has averaged 9.6 points, 3.5 assists and 0.8 steals in 23.0 minutes per game while shooting 47.9% from the field and 39.8% from 3-point range. He’s been a steady presence for the Nuggets as a backup point guard and while he’s replaceable, you know what you’ll get with him and that only enhances his value.
Due to the salary of Morris’ non-guaranteed season (2020-21) being just $1.7 million and the way he’s played for Denver, he’ll likely see his contract guaranteed on Nov. 20.
Keita Bates-Diop
Prior to being dealt to the Nuggets just before the trade deadline, Bates-Diop signed a three-year, $3.9 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2018.
Another second-round pick, this time in 2018, Bates-Diop has played sparingly for Denver this season. However, with the Timberwolves, he’s shown that he can be a versatile defender and develop into a stretch four. Since the 2018-19 season, Bates-Diop has averaged 5.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game while shooting 42.6% from the field and 30.3% from 3-point range.
If the Nuggets guarantee Bates-Diop’s salary for the 2020-21 season ($1.7 million), it’s because they see him as cheap power forward depth.
Jerami Grant
Grant, traded to Denver in the 2019 offseason, signed a three-year, $27.4 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2018.
Just 26-years-old, Grant has continuously developed his game, culminating in the last two seasons being the best of his career. Now looked upon as a versatile defender and tertiary scoring option, Grant has averaged 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 block per game since the 2018-19 season, shooting 48.9% from the field and 39.1% from three.
With Grant looking for a more lucrative contract this offseason, he’ll likely decline his $9.3 million player option for the 2020-21 season.
What do you believe will happen with the contracts of Morris, Bates-Diop and Grant?