Sources: Nuggets likely without Richard Jefferson versus Jazz

“Who’s Jefferson?” Denver Nuggets’ coach Michael Malone asked as he cracked a smile in response to a question after Tuesday morning’s practice about the Nuggets’ rumored acquisition.

Malone and the rest of his team weren’t privy to speak on Jefferson — the 14-year veteran who Denver’s bringing in to bolster their wing depth — because the transaction has yet to be formally announced by the team, but the Nuggets’ coach could comment that he has a history with the swingman.

“I coached Richard Jefferson when I was in Golden State. I have nothing but respect for Richard,” Malone said as his team prepped to board an afternoon flight to Salt Lake City. “He is a consummate professional, stays ready, helped Cleveland two years ago win a championship and anytime you can be around a player that has a resume like Richard does, I think you’re better off for it.”

But Jefferson likely won’t be with the Nuggets when Denver opens their regular season Wednesday night in Utah, league sources told BSN Denver. A more likely debut for the veteran would come in the Nuggets’ home opener against the Kings on Saturday.

“I picked Denver because I believe in what they are doing and building and believe I can add and contribute on and off the court to their nucleus in a positive way,” Jefferson said via The Vertical.

In Jefferson, Denver gains another veteran presence and someone to fill the shoes of Mike Miller, who donned Nuggets’ threads last season and whose work behind the scenes a year ago went largely unnoticed by those outside the organization. Jefferson will also help nurture a young Denver roster with playoff aspirations. Jefferson averaged 5.7 points on 44.6 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from three, along with 2.6 rebounds per game for Cleveland last season. 

Jefferson has 140 career playoff games on his resume. The rest of Denver’s roster has a combined 174.“He’s a champion,” Will Barton said of Jefferson. “A veteran and he’s been in the league a long time.”

When the Nuggets do finalize the Jefferson signing it likely signals the end to Jameer Nelson’s tenure in Denver. The 13-year veteran, who wasn’t seen at practice Tuesday during the portion that was open to the media, played an instrumental role for the Nuggets last season.

Nelson, a veteran in his own right with 44 career playoff games of experience over his six-year run in Orlando, helped guide the Nuggets into contention for last year’s eighth seed. The 35-year-old started 40 games for Denver last season and averaged 9.2 points and 5.1 assists per game.

“Jameer is a guy that I have tremendous respect for,” Malone said. “I got to know Jameer originally when he was in Orlando when my father was there and Jameer was one of the main focal points of a very good playoff team in Orlando. You have a 13-year veteran that’s seen and been around everything. Been to The Finals, been an All-Star and I think his ability to mentor and help young players is something that people didn’t hear enough about because I think Jameer has a great basketball mind and he has a passion for the game. And let’s be honest, last year with Jameer as our starter we made a great push for the playoffs and came up one game short. Jameer had a huge impact while he was here.”

“If our front office deemed it necessary to make a move prior to the start of the regular season, that’s something I fully support and they have my 1000 percent belief in what they’re trying to do,” Malone added. “You never want to see somebody leave but I  think we embrace whoever else comes in and we make the most of it. I don’t foresee if any changes are made, there being any negative effects to that.

Denver opens their regular season Wednesday night versus the Utah Jazz from Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. MT.