3 Denver Nuggets players who won't be back next season

3 Denver Nuggets players who won’t be back next season

PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 29: Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets gathers a loose ball against the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter during Round 1, Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on May 29, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

2 of 3

Credit: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images /

2. Austin Rivers

After the New York Knicks benched him, then he was eventually traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder and waived, Rivers landed with the Nuggets in April. He became a key player in the rotation as injuries thinned their depth, with some big moments in the first-round series against Portland. But in the series against the Suns, Doc’s son failed to top seven points in any of the games and he went just 4-for-15 from 3-point range. With Will Barton fully healthy for Game 4, Rivers was taken out of the starting lineup.

Rivers will now be a free agent. What the market will bear for him is unclear, but it’s also unlikely to be more than one-year offers from a small subset of teams. He has value, with perimeter shooting and experience as his calling cards. And frankly, the Nuggets could decide to bring him back to come off their bench on a cheap one-year deal.

But the Nuggets could find a younger player to fill the role they’d have for Rivers. This might be another spot they try to see what they have with an internal young player (Markus Howard, Shaquille Harrison).

Home/Denver Nuggets