By Jordan Long
The Denver Nuggets and center Mason Plumlee agreed to a 3 year, $41 million contract, paying him $13.66 million a year. He was a restricted free agent. This will keep him in a Nuggets uniform until 2020.
Plumlee enters his 5th NBA season, but his first full season with the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets acquired Plumlee on February 13th from the Portland Trail Blazers, in hopes of improving the frontcourt and having a veteran center for Nikola Jokic when he needed a rest. Plumlee averaged 23.4 minutes in 27 games for the Nuggets. In his time on the court he averaged 9.1 points, 1.1 blocks and 6.4 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets finished the year at 40-42 but missed the playoffs by one game. Portland took the 8th and final playoff spot with a 41-41 record.
The Nuggets knew in order to make the postseason, they needed to be a better frontcourt team. Kenneth Faried and Nikola Jokic are already under contract. Denver decided to go out and sign Paul Millsap who will play down low near Jokic but still wanted a center to back up Jokic. Plumlee showed last year that he could be that athlete. The Nuggets needed to keep him.
With this move, the Nuggets might have one of the top frontcourts in the league. Denver has to show they can stop opponents from scoring. It will be difficult for teams to make easy buckets with Jokic, Millsap, Plumlee, and Faried in the key. They all can block shots and box out. Denver should be improved on defense at least down low.
The Nuggets look like a team ready to make a playoff run. The only way this team won’t make the postseason is if they allow too many outside shots. Denver didn’t defend the three pointer that well last season. One pass and a guy was wide open for a three. Hopefully Denver will make the postseason with their frontcourt.
What do you think of the Denver Nuggets agreeing to a new contract with Mason Plumlee?
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