Sources: Nuggets, Mason Plumlee agree to terms

The Nuggets and restricted free agent Mason Plumlee have agreed to a three-year contract worth $41 million, league sources confirmed to BSN Denver. Plumlee’s deal contains no options and will run through 2020.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the terms of the contract.

Plumlee. 27, was acquired last season along with a 2017 second-round pick from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jusuf Nurkic and a 2017 first-round pick and averaged 9.1 points and 8.0 rebounds in 27 games with Denver.

After closing on the Plumlee contract, which was one of president of basketball operations Tim Connelly’s goals this summer, the team is now expected to turn their attention towards extending shooting guard Gary Harris, according to ESPN. An extension with Harris must be signed before Oct. 16 — the last day before the start of the regular season — or else Harris will be a restricted free agent next summer.

In Plumlee, the Nuggets retain their backup center who’s style of play and skill-set fits Denver’s identity.

“When Nikola (Jokic) is off the floor you try to play the same but we don’t have another Nikola Jokic,” Michael Malone said after Denver acquired Plumlee. “What Mason Plumlee brings is that he is another big that you can play through high post, elbows, and low post. Tremendous athlete and he runs the floor. He is an above the rim player at times. It will be great having almost a synergy of playing the same way with two bigs that are capable of making the same type of plays.”

With marquee free agent signing Paul Millsap penciled in for 30+ minutes per night, and Nikola Jokic ready to build on a breakout sophomore campaign, playing time in Denver’s frontcourt will be hard to come by, especially with power forward Kenneth Faried under contract. But Plumlee’s deal means Nuggets management views the Duke product as a key piece to their rotation and future.

The Nuggets also have power forwards Darrell Arthur and Trey Lyles under contract for next season, the latter of which was acquired in a draft-night trade with the Utah Jazz that also netted Denver the No. 24 overall pick Tyler Lydon.

“I think his selflessness, his approach to the game, his verticality at the rim are well needed,” Connelly said of Plumlee at the conclusion of last season. “And he really added to that locker room.”

In a letter to Nuggets fans, Plumlee says he’s “thrilled” to re-sign with Denver and thinks this team can “compete with anyone in the league.”

An excerpt from the letter is below:

I am thrilled to be a Denver Nugget. I am grateful that we got a deal done and excited for the challenge of the season to come. I meant what I said when I was traded here last year. This is an exciting, talented young team with a bunch of high character guys and I’ve always admired the loyalty and dedication of Nuggets fans. With some of the big additions this summer and another year of experience for the young guns, I believe this team can compete with anyone in the league.

I hate losing. Last year was the first time in my entire organized basketball career (going all the way back to my fourth grade town league in Indiana) that my team wasn’t playing in the postseason. I never want to experience that again. There’s nothing more frustrating than going about your day-to-day when other guys are still out there competing for a championship. If I want you to know anything about me, it’s that I will do whatever it takes to win basketball games and I will expect the same of my teammates.

I want to get to know you. Like I said, my time in Denver was brief last season. I want to meet the people of this amazing city and explore as much as I can. I can’t wait to check out the galleries on Santa Fe, sample some of that Colorado green chile and see the Rockies in all their glory. A friend of mine told me about the “Mi Tierra” exhibit at the Denver Art Museum, so definitely adding that to my list. Any other fun ideas reach out on social media, or text me anytime on my Superphone at 931-805-4447. I want to hear your recommendations. I want to know what makes Denver great and why everyone keeps moving here.

With Plumlee in tow, Denver will bring 15 guaranteed contracts plus Torrey Craig and Monte Morris, who are both signed to two-way deals, to training camp which begins Sep. 26.