Report: Two teams expressing interest in Nuggets' guard

According to ESPN.com’s Chris Haynes, the New Orleans Pelicans and Washington Wizards are gauging the availability of Denver Nuggets’ guard Will Barton.

Barton, 25, had a career-year last season for the Nuggets, averaging 14.4 points on 43.2 percent shooting from the field, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Barton also shot a career-best 34.5 percent from three-point range.

The fourth-place finisher in Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2016 is back at it this year, posting averages of 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, while shooting it slightly worse from the field. Barton has seen his 3-point percentage climb to 36.8 percent and is playing slightly more per game than last season.

In a crowded Denver backcourt that just saw Barton ease back into a bench role with the return of Gary Harris to the Nuggets’ starting lineup, it makes sense that teams would inquire about Barton’s availability.

The wing is on a team-friendly deal that has two years and a little over $ 7 million remaining on it and will likely see his playing time drop now that Harris is fully healthy and rookie Jamal Murray continues to push for more playing time.