Nuggets add 2015-16 D-League MVP to training camp roster

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After reportedly agreeing to a two-year partially guaranteed contract with veteran swingman Robbie Hummel, the Denver Nuggets continue to bolster their training camp roster with the addition of 2015-16 D-League MVP Jarnell Stokes.

#Nuggets are expected to add 2015-16 D-League MVP Jarnell Stokes to the training camp roster.

— Chris Dempsey (@chrisadempsey) September 4, 2016

Stokes, 22, split time last year between the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat where he logged just 19 minutes across seven games. He spent the majority of the 2015-16 season with Sioux Falls Skyforce, the D-League affiliate for the Miami Heat and averaged 20.6 points and 9.3 rebounds in 30.7 minutes per game.

The 6-foot-9 big man can jump between the four and five spots on offense but is also working to stretch his game out to 3-point range. Stokes shot 4-9 from three in 28 games for Sioux Falls last season.

Stokes now joins Axel Toupane, JaKarr Sampson, D.J. Kennedy, Nate Wolters, and Robbie Hummel who will all compete for the Nuggets 15th and final roster spot.

After parting ways with Joffrey Lauvergne, the Nuggets don’t have as much depth in the frontcourt that they seemingly had heading into next season. Nikola Jokic is in for a bump in minutes as the starter and Jusuf Nurkic is fully healthy, but an injury to either one of those centers leaves the Nuggets in a bind. Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur aren’t the best options to spend significant minutes playing center.

Stokes recently averaged 8.8 points and 6.0 rebounds for the San Antonio Spurs at this past Summer League.