Denver Nuggets: 5 goals for the 2018 offseason
4. Re-sign Will Barton in free agency
Indispensable. Versatile. Tons of upside. Those are a few terms the Denver Nuggets could use to describe Will Barton and the things he’s brought to this roster. The 6’6″ wingman had his best season with Denver in his third full year, averaging 15.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
Barton will surely be a hot commodity on the free agent market after the numbers he put up. He shot 37 percent from 3-point range and appeared in 81 games for the Nuggets, whether in the starting rotation or off the bench.
As a starter, Barton averaged 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting from 40.4 percent from behind the arc in 41 appearances. Any team looking to strengthen its starting lineup will be interested in Barton, who will test the free agency market this offseason.
Barton turned down a four-year, $42 million contract extension prior to the season, so it’s up to Denver to sweeten the pot or it could see him walk. The Nuggets struggled a bit in the depth department, especially down the stretch. Losing Barton could hurt what they’ve built.