Denver Nuggets: 3 players not likely to return in 2020-21

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 30: Malik Beasley #25 of the Denver Nuggets, Torrey Craig #3, Mason Plumlee #24, Will Barton #5 and Trey Lyles #7 react during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 30, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

2 of 4

Denver Nuggets Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images /

3. Noah Vonleh

Yes, Noah Vonleh is on the Nuggets. No, you probably didn’t know that if you’re not a diehard Denver Nuggets fan.

Vonleh was dealt from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Nuggets in the four-team midseason trade Shabazz Napier and Keita Bates-Diop, among others. Since then, the former lottery pick has played in four games with the team. He played in 12 minutes during his first game with the team, an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. In the succeeding three games, Vonleh played a combined five minutes; he has scored eight points with the Nuggets so far.

Related Story. NBA: Re-drafting the 2008 NBA Draft's first round. light

It’s hard to believe that Vonleh is just 24 years old. The Nuggets are already the power forward’s sixth NBA team. Instead of carving out a role as a legitimate NBA player, he has carved out a role as the trade chip that just keeps on giving.

If the NBA season didn’t pause when it did, it’s possible Vonleh would’ve had more opportunities to insert himself into Mike Malone’s rotation. Those opportunities never came, though, and as an unrestricted free agent, they probably never will in Colorado.

Vonleh deserves a seventh chance to play at the end of a team’s bench – he’s still young, after all. That chance won’t come in Denver.

Home/Denver Nuggets