The Denver Nuggets are reportedly close to bringing aboard veteran forward Richard Jefferson, and to make room for him, they'll likely waive point guard Jameer Nelson, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Wojanarowski reported that the Nuggets are "closing in on" a one-year deal with Jefferson worth $2.3 million.
Parting ways with Nelson, who's owed $4.7 million this season, means that Denver is comfortable going with a combination of Jamal Murray, 20, and Emmanuel Mudiay, 21, as its top two point guards. Nelson started 39 games last year and played well. He averaged 9.2 points, 5.1 assists and shot 38.3 percent from 3-point land.
Jefferson, 37, has spent the last two seasons of his career in Cleveland. He was a part of the Cavaliers' 2015-16 championship team. The Cavaliers traded him to Atlanta last week. The Hawks then waived him.
Jefferson is friends with Nuggets governor Josh Kroenke. Kroenke appeared on Road Trippin', the podcast Jefferson hosted with Channing Frye, and discussed, among other things, how he and Jefferson used to go out drinking in New York City in their younger days.
Jefferson is entering his 17th NBA season. He averaged 5.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists 20.4 minutes per game last season. He's a career 37.7 percent shooter from 3-point land and is regarded as a valuable locker-room presence.
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