After a three-year failed experiment in Denver, Jalen Pickett has found a new home, signing with the Clippers on Wednesday. But notably, Pickett was signed to a two-way deal, not a standard contract, which further cements the mistake that the Nuggets and Calvin Booth made back in 2023.
They traded up to draft Pickett with the 32nd overall pick and then signed him to a standard four-year contract. He had some nice moments in Denver and showed flashes, but never really broke into the rotation and proved to be mostly a waste of a roster spot, sadly.
The fact that after three years in the league, the best he could do was a two-way contract proves that the Nuggets’ faith in Pickett was always a bit misguided, and he likely would have been best served to have been on a two-way deal from the start. If he wasn’t taking up a precious roster spot and being handed a guaranteed contract, he wouldn’t have had as much pressure to crack the rotation and earn his keep, perhaps developing in low-leverage minutes in the G-League.
But alas, that wasn’t the case, and this will go down as yet another failed experiment and bad contract handed out by Calvin Booth, a theme that will ultimately define his term as general manager of the team, despite helping win the title in 2023.
Jalen Pickett contract with Nuggets was a disaster
It’s a bit unusual to see a three-year NBA veteran sign on a two-way deal for the first time just ahead of his 27th birthday, but that’s what happens when talent is poorly evaluated, with an equally poor contract then being handed out.
It’s a shame for sure, and Pickett seemed like a good guy and a solid teammate, but just not an NBA-caliber player, especially on a team with championship aspirations. Maybe he’ll someday become that, and maybe signing on with a team like the Clippers that’s set to begin what figures to be a lengthy rebuild will give him the kind of opportunity he has needed all along.
And if not, then perhaps he can at least make a name for himself in the G-League and then find another role overseas if he’s not able to recoup his NBA value.
Ironically, after turning down Pickett’s fourth-year option and letting him walk, they still have a gaping hole at backup point guard behind Jamal Murray with no clear solution in sight. Ultimately, though, Pickett wasn’t going to be that guy anyway, and as frustrating as this is, it’s better to cut bait than to keep throwing good money at bad. Best of luck to Jalen in LA in the next chapter of his basketball career, but it just wasn’t meant to be in Denver.
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