The Nuggets have signed second-round pick Jarred Vanderbilt to a multiyear contract, the team announced today in a press release. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed by Denver, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets that it’s a three-year, $4MM contract.
[RELATED: 2018 NBA Draft Pick Signings]
The over-the-cap Nuggets will dip into their mid-level exception to complete the Vanderbilt signing, since the minimum salary exception would only have allowed for up to two years. The team is believed to have used a portion of its MLE on Torrey Craig, but still should have plenty left.
Vanderbilt, whose college career was limited by foot and leg injuries, appeared in just 14 games last season for Kentucky, averaging 5.9 PPG and 7.9 RPG in 17.0 MPG. Although he was unable to make much of an impact during his time with the Wildcats, the combo forward is a good athlete and has upside as a defender and rebounder.
The Nuggets used the No. 41 overall to nab Vanderbilt, trading up a couple spots to ensure that they landed him.
With Craig and Vanderbilt now on NBA contracts, and free agents like Nikola Jokic and Will Barton back in the fold as well, Denver is up to 15 players on guaranteed deals. That doesn’t leave room for two-way player Monte Morris, who had been a candidate for a promotion to the 15-man roster, prompting Gina Mizell of The Denver Post (Twitter link) to wonder if another salary-dump trade may be on the horizon for the Nuggets.
I thought morris signed a 2 year two way last year
You’re right. Fixed the wording on that part, thanks.
Denver will be ok, just have to get rid of Faried & Arthur which shouldn’t be hard, specially by the trade deadline, as they would be an asset to teams wanting to free cap space… so with patience Denver will get a good deal & the future is looking bright at the mile high city.
I’m disappointed he didn’t go to college at Vanderbilt
You didn’t miss much. Great potential though.