Hoops Habit
Fansided

Denver Nuggets: Complete 2017 offseason grades

By Josh Cornelissen

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 8: Darrell Arthur #00 and Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets and Rocky the Mountain Lion, mascot of the Denver Nuggets, pose for a photo during a jersey launch event on August 8, 2017 at the Denver Performing Arts Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 8: Darrell Arthur #00 and Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets and Rocky the Mountain Lion, mascot of the Denver Nuggets, pose for a photo during a jersey launch event on August 8, 2017 at the Denver Performing Arts Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 9
Next
Denver Nuggets
Photo by Michael Reaves/BIG3/Getty Images /

Signing Childress

The Nuggets continued their forward overhaul even into September, signing Josh Childress to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal to add another body heading into training camp.

Josh Childress was a lottery pick of the Atlanta Hawks in 2004, and played out his rookie deal with the Hawks before causing league-wide ripples by turning down a contract extension to play overseas. Returning in 2010, Childress signed with the Phoenix Suns, only to be cut via the amnesty provision.

More from Hoops Habit

Childress last played in the NBA in 2013, when he bounced around a few teams before ultimately being waived by the Pelicans. He then spent time in Australia, Japan and the D-League, never able to catch on with another NBA club. Most recently, and significantly, Childress played this summer in the Big 3 league.

By becoming the first player to be signed to an NBA contract after playing in the league, Childress is blazing a path for fringe NBA players to show scouts their mettle in competitive situations. While Childress didn’t dominate, he showed NBA scouts — and specifically the Denver Nuggets — that he still has NBA athleticism and something to offer.

With 14 guarnateed contracts plus the currently unsigned Mason Plumlee, there most likely isn’t a roster position available for Childress past preseason. But if Plumlee doesn’t return, or another player is cut or traded, then Childress could have a shot to make the team. He’ll certainly make every effort, and given his talent and pedigree that result isn’t out of the question. Any chance at a rotation piece on the wing is worth the negligible cost, even if the upside is low too.

Grade: B-

Home/Denver Nuggets