Chandler to stay with Nuggets in 2015-16, Barton a possibility too

The Denver Post’s Christopher Dempsey broke several important Nuggets-related news stories yesterday. In addition to the surprising revelation that Nikola Jokic will be signing with the Nuggets this summer Dempsey also announced the guaranteed status of Wilson Chandler’s $7 million contract for next season. Chandler will thus become an unrestricted free agent in July 2016.

Additionally, Dempsey revealed the Nuggets and free agent Will Barton have a mutual interest in striking a new deal together in the coming months. If all goes as planned Barton will enter the summer as a restricted free agent giving the Nuggets the right to match whatever contract offer he fields from another team; however, according to Dempsey the Nuggets and Barton would like to reach an agreement between themselves more than anything.

It’s now a given the Nuggets will retain Chandler and if the same applies to Barton the Nuggets will head into free agency with 10 guaranteed contracts. Assuming they sign their first-round pick that total will climb to 11, and if Randy Foye and Jameer Nelson return (both having options in their contracts for the upcoming season) the Nuggets will then have only two roster spots available to pursue additional free agents.

Stay tuned to BSN as the Nuggets’ roster continues to take shape throughout the summer.