Denver Nuggets: 5 teams that could make a play for Will Barton
By Alex Murray
Will Barton destinations: 1. Denver Nuggets – Run it back
The first and most obvious landing spot for Barton this offseason would be right back in the Rocky Mountains with the Denver Nuggets, with whom he has been since the 2015 season.
Barton signed a four-year, $53 million deal with the team back in 2018 that featured a player option on the final year. It seems all but certain that the Thrill will be looking for a similar or more lucrative deal this time around.
Barton has obviously built relationships and put roots down in Denver, which is what gives them the advantage over all the other suitors. Not to mention the fact that injuries kept this squad from showing what they could truly do last season.
With Aaron Gordon in the mix, Michael Porter Jr likely to receive a max extension soon, Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic continuing to dominate, and a solid bench, this team could definitely make some postseason noise when healthy.
Barton not only adds to the offensive potency of that starting five, but he also lends it an extra level of defensive length and intensity on the perimeter that was sorely missed in the 2021 playoffs.
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has also been adamant about his opinion of the player, saying that he hopes to see Barton remain with the team for many years to come.
"“I would love for Will Barton to be back. Everything he brings to the team. That’s on the court, off the court, in the locker room, from a culture standpoint. … He means a ton to me personally. He means a ton to this team and everything we’ve been able to accomplish these last six years. … Me, personally, I hope he’s back here for a long time.”"
That’s a pretty darn glowing endorsement from the team’s head coach. The Nuggets are up against it when it comes to the salary cap, so they will have to get creative to make a contract similar to the four-year, $53 million one he signed in 2018 work for the 30-year-old.