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Denver Nuggets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Nuggets

By Phil Watson

Mar 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the Denver Nuggets logo on the floor prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the Denver Nuggets logo on the floor prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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UNIONDALE, NY - CIRCA 1975: Ralph Simpson #44 of the Denver Rockets/Denver Nuggets goes up for a rebound against Billy Paultz (R) of the New York Nets during an American Basketball Association (ABA) game at the Nassau Coliseum circa 1975 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY – CIRCA 1975: Ralph Simpson #44 of the Denver Nuggets goes up for a rebound against Billy Paultz (R) of the New York Nets during an American Basketball Association (ABA) game at the Nassau Coliseum circa 1975 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

73. <strong>How acquired: </strong>Signed as underclassman from Michigan State, June 1970; Trade, Detroit Pistons, Feb. 1, 1978.. SG-SF. 1970-76, 1978. Ralph Simpson . 11. player

The Chicago Bulls drafted Michigan State swingman Ralph Simpson with the 11th overall pick in the 1972 NBA Draft.

The problem for the Bulls was that he had already been a pro for two seasons.

DEN_11_SIMPSON
DEN_11_SIMPSON /

Simpson had signed as an underclassman with the Denver Rockets in June 1970 and made the first of his five ABA All-Star appearances in his second season.

Simpson was also a three-time All-ABA performer, finishing fourth in the ABA in scoring in 1971-72 and fifth in 1972-73 and also finishing second in assists in 1975-76.

He came to the NBA with the Nuggets when the NBA and ABA merged in June 1976, but in October 1976 was traded to the Detroit Pistons in a three-team deal in which Denver acquired Paul Silas from the Boston Celtics.

Simpson was reacquired by the Nuggets in February 1978 from Detroit in exchange for Jim Price and a first-round pick in 1979.

His return was short-lived; he was traded with Bobby Jones and a first-round pick in 1984 to the Philadelphia 76ers in August 1978 in exchange for George McGinnis and the rights to No. 21 overall pick Mike Evans.

In parts of seven seasons in Denver, Simpson averaged 19.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.7 steals in 31.3 minutes per game, shooting .456/.193/.770.

Simpson was traded to the New Jersey Nets in February 1979 and retired after he was waived by the Nets in November of the same year.

Simpson finished 25th in ABA history with 487 games, 16th with 1,878 assists, fifth with 549 steals, 13th with 9,953 points, 10th with an average of 20.4 points per game and 18th with an average of 3.9 assists per game.

Next: Mr. Big Shot Left Denver A Bust, Returned A Champion

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