For weeks, the Denver Nuggets have been rumored to be in search of a cost-saving trade that would help the team avoid serious luxury tax penalties for the 2018-19 season. Despite their desperation to avoid a hefty tax bill after Nikola Jokic’s max deal kicks in, they are still doing everything they can to keep their top free agent.
Reports have emerged ahead of the opening of free agency on July 1 that indicate shooting guard Will Barton will remain with the Nuggets on a four-year deal in the $50 million range.
Will Barton, Denver will come to terms on a four-year deal just north of $50 million when free agency opens, sources tell @YahooSportsNBA.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) July 1, 2018
After the initial word from Chris Mannix of Yahoo, David Aldridge of NBA.com provided confirmation.
Nuggets in the driver’s seat for Will Barton (@ChrisMannisYS first), with number potentially north of reported $50M deal.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 1, 2018
Zach Lowe of ESPN then offered up some more details on the contract itself, which will include a player option.
One nugget (sorry): deal will give Barton a player option in Year 4, sources say. Good deal for Barton in this market, but Nuggets were smart to get (at least) 3 years on it. Barton's good, deal will age well as cap rises/more teams clear room. https://t.co/CT6J1Oyhn5
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) July 1, 2018
Finally, Chris Haynes of ESPN brought word of a number even larger than the original reporting indicated.
Free agent guard Will Barton and Denver intends to ink a four-year, $54 million deal, league sources ESPN. He will have a player option on fourth year.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2018
The 27-year-old guard enjoyed a career-best season in 2017-18, averaging 15.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game for the Nuggets. As a result of that breakout campaign, Barton was expected to command a hefty salary when the market opened but, in the same breath, the reported $50 million figure is loftier than what was widely thought to be in play.
Beyond that, the Nuggets now project to be more than $20 million over the luxury tax line, seemingly bringing some level of desperation to the proceedings. Deals could materialize to send Kenneth Faried, Darrell Arthur and/or Wilson Chandler elsewhere but, after a massive reported commitment to Nikola Jokic and this kind of deal for Barton, the Nuggets are clearly moving into a mode that would suggest a desire to win big immediately at increased cost.
