Denver Nuggets: 4 burning questions entering training camp
By Sean Carroll
Denver Nuggets questions entering training camp: Can Will Barton have a bounce-back year?
It wouldn’t be a Denver Nuggets article without mentioning the longest-tenured Nugget on the roster, Will Barton. Entering his age-31 season, Will the Thrill had a down season in terms of points per game as his shots and minutes were distributed elsewhere on the roster.
He also dealt with a handful of injuries that kept him out down the end of the season before returning right in time for the end of the Phoenix series. He didn’t perform well but it was a huge ask to expect elite scoring against a solid defense after missing so much time.
In 2021-22, he’ll likely be the starting shooting guard in place of Murray while one of the guards (Monte Morris or Facundo Campazzo) starts at point guard.
Unlike the past few seasons for Barton, he’ll be more of a focal point in the offense and not as a bench scorer or single creator in some lineups.
In the offseason, Barton declined his player option but decided to return to Denver for less annual value but a longer (two-year) deal. It’s a great sign for a player who has been with Michael Malone and the Nuggets for this entire rebuild, but also a great sign in terms of his confidence to produce on the court.
It’s hard to imagine that, following a down season and on the wrong side of 30, that Barton would have found a contract this lucrative elsewhere in free agency. But his new deal is more than just money, he’ll also have his biggest opportunity to fill up the stat sheet in a long time, I can’t wait to see how he goes.