Veteran F Jefferson reportedly will sign with Nuggets

Oct 17, 2017 - 2:34 AM The Denver Nuggets will sign forward Richard Jefferson and release veteran guard Jameer Nelson.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported late Monday that Jefferson and the Nuggets had agreed on a one-year, $2.3 million contract. The 37-year-old Jefferson, who spent the past two seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, will join a young nucleus of rising stars that include center Nikola Jokic and guard Gary Harris in Mile High City.

In a text message to the website The Vertical, Jefferson explained why he decided to join the Nuggets.

"I picked Denver because I believe in what they are doing and building and believe I can add and contribute on and off the court to their nucleus in a positive way," Jefferson said.

Jefferson, who averaged 5.7 points per game in about 20 minutes per game last season, was traded over the weekend to Atlanta, where he was promptly waived.

The Nuggets also added All-Star veteran swingman Paul Millsap in the offseason. Jefferson will compete for playing time with Millsap, Kenneth Faried and Wilson Chandler.