Denver Nuggets rumors: Could Timofey Mozgov, Jusuf Nurkic push JaVale McGee out?
The Denver Nuggets deal veteran center Nene to the Washington Wizards for big man JaVale McGee back in 2012. In the 2012 offseason, the Nuggets gave McGee a four-year, $44 million deal and he hasn’t come close to living up to it.
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Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post believes the Nuggets’ young bigs – Timofey Mozgov and the 16th-overall pick of June’s Draft, Jusuf Nurkic , could push McGee out in Denver.
"He’s got to stay healthy and play well to live up to the contract he inked after playing well a couple of years ago. If not, sure, there’s a possibility he could be dealt. McGee has two years and nearly $24 million left on his deal. His last season is $12 million, which isn’t impossible to deal, particularly because it would be an expiring deal. But we’ll see.Reports are he’s looking good and on-target to hit the ground running at training camp in the fall. Jusuf Nurkic will take time to get up to speed. Nikola Jokic will not be on the roster in the fall. Timofey Mozgov is the player to watch, coming off of his best season as a professional. There are plenty of questions at center. McGee can ease a lot of concerns by arriving in shape, ready to play, with a work-hard, winning mind-set."
McGee was limited to just five games, averaging 7.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Mozgov took his spot and went for 9.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. He shot 52.3% from the field and 75.4% from the free throw line.
Nurkic averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 16.6 minutes per game in the Adriatic League this season. He shot 54.5% from the field and 70.1% from the free throw line. The last time he had his measurements taken was as the Eurocamp in 2013. He measured in at 6’11.5 in shoes and 280 lbs. with a wingspan of 7’2. Jonathan Givony of Draft Express ranked him as the sixth-best prospect in the draft at one point.