If there’s one thing the Nuggets still need for their final roster spot, it’s a backup point guard. There aren’t many options out there that can come in on a minimum contract and provide solid, reliable point guard play off the bench, but one player who would have fit the bill perfectly is former “Mr. Nugget” himself, Monte Morris.
However, that idea is no longer feasible as Morris signed with the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. The Pacers made the NBA Finals, but lost their superstar point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a torn achilles, and will now need to replace him for the coming season.
Andrew Nembhard will assume lead duties, but Morris will now take on a valuable bench role and offer consistency and veteran leadership off the bench for a team trying to overcome a crippling injury.
Morris was an all-time great Nuggets draft steal
The Nuggets drafted Morris late in the second round back in 2017 out of Iowa State and signed him to a two-way deal. But Morris quickly outplayed that and carved out a very meaningful role, becoming a huge part of Denver’s squad for half a decade.
He was ultimately part of the trade for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in 2022 that paved the way for the 2023 title, but he was hardly someone the fans wanted to see run out of town.
Since being traded, Morris has bounced around from the Wizards to the Pistons to the Timberwolves, and then, most recently, he played for the Suns last season. Still just 30 years old, he should have plenty of tread left in his tires and will likely prove to be a value signing as someone who can fit into a strong culture and provide minutes off the bench.
Nuggets could have badly used a backup point guard
With this signing, that’s one more name off the list of potential options for Denver this coming season. They still have an open roster spot and a need for a backup point guard with just Jamal Murray and Jalen Pickett on the current 14-man depth chart.
Russell Westbrook and Ben Simmons are still floating around, but those are two extremely volatile options and not what the team is looking for. They need a steady veteran hand, and someone like Morris would have fit the bill perfectly.
Given his previous connection to Denver and love from the fans, this would have seemed like a natural move to make, but alas. The search for a backup point guard continues.