According to reports, restricted free agent center Mason Plumlee has re-signed with the Denver Nuggets on a contract worth $41 million over three years.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news on Monday morning:
Restricted free agent Mason Plumlee has agreed to a three-year, $41M deal to return to Denver, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 18, 2017
Mason Plumlee Re-Signs on Three-Year Contract With Denver Nuggets
Plumlee’s contract will take him through the end of the 2019-20 season.
The center has been around the block, having played for the Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, and the Nuggets. The Nets selected him with the 22nd overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft. Since then, Plumlee has been a consistent role player for all of the teams for which he’s played. Last season, Plumlee averaged 10.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, splitting 81 games between the Trail Blazers and the Nuggets.
After being dealt to Denver at the trade deadline, Plumlee finished the season in a diminished role, playing as the second-string center behind Nikola Jokic. While not as skilled as Jokic, Plumlee was still able to contribute with his overall offensive versatility. In particular, Plumlee’s passing skills were fantastic, especially for a big man. His coaches, Terry Stotts and Michael Malone – of Portland and Denver, respectively – were able to run plays through him multiple times every game.
However, while not completely inept, Plumlee’s defense leaves some questions to be asked. Entering the prime of his career, it is up to him to improve that aspect of his game. Plumlee would do well to strengthen his paint presence.
Plumlee will continue to be a very effective and reliable backup center for Denver. As he becomes more comfortable with the Nuggets – this is Plumlee’s first full training camp with them – he’ll be able to take on a more active role in their offense, and use his court vision to create plays. Denver will need Plumlee to improve certain aspects of his game – defense, mainly – in order to compete for a playoff spot next season.
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