Nuggets retain crucial piece from last season's rotation

After a breakout season where he averaged a career-high 15.7 points along with 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, Will Barton and the Nuggets have agreed to a four-year contract worth $54 million, according to ESPN. The contract ensures that Barton, who was a vital piece for the Nuggets’ last season, remains in Denver for what’s shaping up to be a pivotal season for the franchise. Barton also reportedly has a player option available to him in year four of the contract.

A league source confirmed to BSN Denver that the two sides have reached an agreement.

Last season Barton shot 45.2 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from three — a mark he’s now hit in back-to-back years. The 4.1 assists Barton averaged last season were a career-high, as the Nuggets’ asked Barton to play significant minutes at point guard when backup Emmanuel Mudiay struggled to begin the season and trade deadline acquisition Devin Harris worked to get familiar with Denver’s offense.

With no viable option to replace Barton available to Denver, the organization put a premium on retaining him.

After the Nuggets’ regular season ended, Barton expressed a desire. to stay in Denver.

“Of course,” Barton said when asked if he’d like to return to the Nuggets next season. “Especially ending the season like that, man. I think we’re building something real special here. I love playing with (Jokic) and Jamal and Gary. The guys we have in the locker room, I like being around. The coaching staff has really come a long way with trusting me and me trusting them. Just the whole organization.

“I feel like we’re headed in the right direction. I would love to be in the playoffs this year. I feel like if bring the nucleus of our team back next with year with the lessons we learned at the end of the season, we could be that team full time and consistent. I would love to be a part of that.”

Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly also remained confident throughout the summer that the organization would be able to retain Barton’s services despite the fact that Barton didn’t act on a four-year $42 million extension that Denver presented to him last season.

Barton also indicated throughout the season that he wants to start on a full-time basis. Last season, he logged 40 games in Denver’s starting lineup and 41 off the bench. Wilson Chandler, who picked up his $12.8 million player option for next season but could reportedly still be dealt in a salary dump this summer, was the Nuggets’ default starter at small forward. Even if Chandler is in a Nuggets’ jersey next season, Barton could move into Denver’s starting lineup.

Barton, Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic only played 65 minutes together last season but outscored the opposition 179-126.

Barton has been one of the league’s most underpaid players over the past few seasons. He signed a three-year $10.6 million contract with the Nuggets in 2015 — the summer after he was acquired from the Trail Blazers. Barton has gone on to establish himself as one of the league’s premier options off the bench.