The man most happy to be a part of the 2020-21 Nuggets will be a part of the 2021-22 version as well, as per this report from Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the Nuggets have signed shooting guard Austin Rivers to a one year deal:
Terms are not disclosed, but with the Nuggets around two million dollars shy of the tax line, it’s likely along the lines of a veteran minimum salary to keep them below that threshold. That gives the Nuggets their full allotment of 15 contracts (not including any two-way deals they may sign before the season).
The Nuggets have prioritized familiarity this offseason, with just one reported external addition in forward Jeff Green. Otherwise they re-signed players that had played with them last year – which makes sense for a team that had more money to spend retaining its own players than in making outside additions. It leaves them short, literally and figuratively, at center behind the MVP Nikola Jokic, as well as at small forward behind budding star Michael Porter Jr. The Nuggets will be able to run forward-heavy rotations with a small-ball 5, or guard-heavy rotations, but coach Michael Malone has his work cut out getting the defensive rotations that he wants.
That said, Austin Rivers was visibly and vociferously enthusiastic about being a Nugget last year, and it’s good to see him back in a Denver uniform. The Nuggets pride themselves on their culture, and in Barton and Rivers especially they’ve brought back players who embrace that culture. If Jamal Murray heals up ahead of schedule and can be back in top form for the playoffs, the Nuggets look as dangerous as anyone.
Here’s an example of Austin’s honesty about his journey and his pleasure in finding himself on the Nuggets last season:
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