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Nuggets sign center Isaiah Hartenstein to final roster spot

ByQuenton S. Albertie|
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 16: Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Houston Rockets has the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game at Target Center on November 16, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 16: Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Houston Rockets has the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game at Target Center on November 16, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The Denver Nuggets have used their final roster spot to sign center Isaiah Hartenstein.

After multiple reports linked the Denver Nuggets to 22-year-old center Isaiah Hartenstein, the Denver Post’s Mike Singer reports that the third-year pro will be coming to the Mile High on a two-year deal to be Denver’s backup center.

Hartenstein, who was taken with the 43rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, has played sparingly in his brief time in the league.

Despite having a relatively successful professional career overseas prior to being drafted, the dynamic skill Hartenstein demonstrated prior to entering the NBA has been underappreciated by Houston, a team that preferred to play small-ball. At 7’1,” Hartenstein may be mobile enough to play multiple positions but he was still going to be misused.

That won’t be a problem for the Nuggets, who know just how valuable a versatile big man can be thanks to Nikola Jokic.

While Hartenstein is skilled offensively — an inside-out scorer that’s able to pass the ball well —  he also has the potential to be a respectable interior and perimeter defender (at least, for his size) in Denver.

A competitive player who works hard on the glass, Hartenstein seems a lot like former Nuggets center Mason Plumlee, just better from the perimeter on both ends.

The biggest concern with Hartenstein is he only has 51 career games of NBA experience.

Although he’s played 78 games with the NBA G League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers over the past three seasons, the Nuggets are an NBA Finals hopeful and his lack of experience could be a significant factor in the postseason and in the crucial moments of key games.

For what it’s worth though, Hartenstein was able to guide the Vipers to the G League Finals in 2018-19, winning MVP honors along the way. This speaks not only to his talent level but his ability to be an impact performer under the brightest lights.

Hartenstein will occupy Denver’s 15th and final roster spot.