Denver Nuggets, Darrell Arthur agree to multi-year deal

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Nuggets and free agent forward Darrell Arthur have agreed on a three-year contract worth approximately $23 million.

Darrell Arthur's new three-year deal with the Nuggets will pay him $23M, league source tells @TheVertical.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2016

Arthur had a strong desire to stay in Denver heading into free agency this summer, but the Nuggets were expected to have to fend off the Washington Wizards and others for Arthur’s services. The 28-year-old was almost traded at the deadline last season but made it known to management his desire to stay in Denver.

The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 7.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and just under a steal per game last season. Arthur also averaged a career-high 21.7 minutes per game and shot a career-best 38.5 from 3-point range in 2015-16.

Arthur was the Nuggets’ defensive rock last season and quite often coach Michael Malone’s most trusted defender. He averaged more fourth-quarter minutes than starter Kenneth Faried and was Denver’s most vocal player on the defensive end of the floor.

Re-signing Arthur is Denver’s first significant move in free agency this summer. Former backup point guard D.J. Augustin signed a multi-year contract with the Orlando Magic soon after free agency opened Friday morning.

With Arthur signing for so cheap at just over $7.6 million per season, Denver will surely have to make another move or two in free agency to get close to the salary floor.