Former Nugget and NBA champion staying put in free agency

Much has been made about the Nuggets losing Bruce Brown last offseason in free agency and the lingering impact of that loss on the team all season. Brown was an incredible role player and played a crucial role in bringing a championship to Denver.

In fact, the biggest issue with him staying was that he played too well for the Nuggets and established his free agency market at a price that was untouchable for Denver, hence the loss. The loss was, of course, compounded this season as the team was never truly able to fill his role with the plethora of young players and veterans they filled out the bench with.

Jeff Green and Bruce Brown were both huge losses for the Nuggets

Less was made of the loss of Jeff Green in free agency last offseason, but the team certainly missed Green coming off the bench this season as well. Much like with Brown, Green provided a steady, reliable, veteran presence off the bench that could do a little of everything. Michael Malone trusted him and he played a big role for the team in their title run.

Also like Brown, Green became a cap casualty and was stolen away by the Rockets in free agency. And also like Brown, Green’s deal was for two years with a second-year team option. And also like with Brown, it appears the team is going to pick up the option.

Houston Rockets to exercise Jeff Green option

Green’s option for next season is for $9.6 million and Kelly Iko of the Athletic and Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle have both now reported that the team will exercise the option and lock in the contract for next season.

There was some hope that Green’s option may be declined and he could hit unrestricted free agency, where he could have potentially decided to come back to Denver on a team-friendly deal. But that was clearly wishful thinking as Green won’t reach the open market.

Could Green end up back in Denver?

He could certainly still be used as a trade chip for the Rockets as that $9.6 million expiring contract is a pretty solid piece to work with. Unfortunately, that would be a very difficult number for the Nuggets to get to in any trade package.

For any fans still clinging to hope for a Jeff Green reunion in Denver, the most likely path now is probably for Green to be packaged as part of a trade, then bought out and waived by the team that acquires him. That could theoretically allow Green to sign with the Nuggets on a minimum deal for the rest of the season. 

But that’s a long way off and would require a lot to happen in between. For now, Nuggets fans should turn their attention toward other potential targets.