Denver Nuggets: Three players who have earned a roster spot next season
By Sean Carroll
Denver Nuggets who earned a roster spot next season: JaMychal Green
This one is less of a roster spot since JaMychal Green has a guaranteed contract next season worth $7.6 million, but with a mid-range salary, Green’s contract is a very tradeable one if the front office thinks they see an upgrade.
He has been the first big off the bench in the playoffs, ahead of Paul Millsap and JaVale McGee, the latter who is getting DNPs.
Green is playing 19.8 minutes a night in the playoffs and putting up 6.3 points a game on respectable shooting splits and filling in the gaps on defense. He’s more mobile than Jokic or Millsap and has been able to protect the rim, grab big rebounds, and hang with Portland’s guards in screen actions.
His competency is mirrored by Portland’s weak backup frontcourt. We all know how much Jokic is salivating when he sees Enes Kanter or Carmelo Anthony guarding him in the post. It’s a nice luxury to have with Green backing up the soon-to-be-announced 2020-21 MVP.
Nikola Jokic when he sees Enes Kanter in the post pic.twitter.com/KGh3UCt0J8
— Isaac K. Lee (@IsaacKLee) May 23, 2021
JaMychal’s also exceeding in Denver’s ball movement offense with a playoff career-high 10.1 assist percentage, so he’s swinging the ball, getting others involved, and sipping from the pass-happy fountain that is Denver basketball. That career high is also matched by a career-low turnover number for the playoffs.
When the offseason rolls around and if there are any big names on the trade market, JaMychal’s contract might be bundled with some others to make the money match. It’s not as cut and dry though as Green has played well in his role off the bench. He has earned his roster spot.