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Odds Each Denver Nuggets’ Player Returns Next Season

By Ryan Blackburn

Apr 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) defends against Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) defends against Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) defends against Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) defends against Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Jusuf Nurkic – Age 21 – Guaranteed $1.92 million

The Bosnian Beast is hungry for minutes, and 2016-17 will likely be the time he receives them. After a long and arduous recovery from patellar surgery, Jusuf Nurkic showed at the end of the season that he still has potential to be the anchor of a team.

He still struggles finishing around the rim, and his propensity for fouling on the defensive end sometimes limits his game to game effectiveness, but overall, Nurkic remains a blue chip prospect. With Jokic moving to the power forward position in the last three games, Nurkic started the same three and played heavy minutes with good results.

He’s in line for an expanded role next season, and the only reason he’s moved is if the Nuggets want to trade up in the draft or trade for a star. His defensive effectiveness and rim protection (1.4 blocks per game) would be greatly missed – 95 percent.

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