Nuggets waive Jarnell Stokes, likely seek backcourt help

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The Denver Nuggets have waived Jarnell Stokes, General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Stokes, 22, played in two games for the Nuggets this season, after making the opening night roster as Denver’s 15th man out of training camp. The 6-foot-9 big man averaged 1.5 points and 1.0 rebounds over those two games but was diagnosed with a foot injury last week and was inactive for both of the Nuggets’ recent losses to Detroit and Portland.

The move comes on the same day that coach Michael Malone announced at practice that starting shooting guard Gary Harris is sidelined for up to four weeks with a foot injury, another blow to Denver’s already injury-riddled backcourt.  Sixth-Man Will Barton has missed the Nuggets last seven games with an ankle injury but did participate in portions of practice Tuesday.

The Nuggets are likely eyeing backcourt help with just rookies, Jamal Murray and Malik Beasley, in reserve at shooting guard. Murray, Beasley, Emmanuel Mudiay and Jameer Nelson currently make up Denver’s backcourt with Harris and Barton out for Denver’s game Wednesday against Phoenix.