Wilson Chandler reportedly exercises player option to return to Denver in 2018-19

Wilson Chandler is exercising his $12.8 million player option, according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes. The 31-year-old forward plans to return to Denver after a down season in 2017-18 rather than testing the open market.

Chandler started 71 games for the Nuggets last season. He averaged 10.0 points per game, his lowest scoring output since his rookie year in 2007-08. Although his offense fell off, he was still a plus defensively for Denver. Chandler was often asked to guard the opposing team’s best player.

Chandler’s decision to opt in will make it difficult for the Nuggets to sign Nikola Jokic to a max deal, which they’ve indicated is their plan, and bring back unrestricted free agent Will Barton unless they want to pay a massive luxury tax bill. It’s possible Denver could look to move Kenneth Faried, who’s owed $13.7 million next season, or Darrell Arthur, who will make $7.5 million, to get some salary cap relief.

It’s also possible the Nuggets try to move Chandler. They drafted small forward Michael Porter Jr. 14th overall Thursday. Porter is still coming back from a back surgery that cost him all but three games of his college career, though.

Denver appears primed to make trade moves this summer. President of basketball operations Tim Connelly reiterated Thursday how much Denver would like to resign Barton this offseason, while adding that Jokic will be a Nugget “for a long, long time.”