This afternoon, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported that free agent power forward J.J. Hickson had signed a three-year deal with the Denver Nuggets. Hickson will get just around $5 million a year, with Denver. The deal will be used under Denver's mid-level exception as well.Hickson will provide rebounding and energy for the Nuggets, whether he starts or comes off the bench.
In his last year with the Portland Trail Blazers, he averaged about 13 points and 10 rebounds, starting out of position at the center spot. Not only that, but he was very efficient, shooting 56-percent from the field. In fact, he broke the Blazers franchise-record for most consecutive games shooting 50-percent or higher, which was about 25 games.
Because of his routine double-doubles, many fans questioned why he was being paid so low per year. It is because of his defense, or lack thereof. Last season, he was a big defensive liability in the paint. His 6-foot-9 frame was not the best for playing center last season.
This signing by Denver only crowds their frontcourt even more for next season. Adding Hickson alongside JaVale McGee, Anthony Randolph, Timofey Mozgov and Kenneth Faried is a head-scratcher at first.
What does this mean for Randolph and Mozgov? Will Randolph be traded or Mozgov has his qualifying offer rescinded by the Nuggets? It will be interesting to see now how Brian Shaw can log minutes around to this clogged frontcourt.
There have been rumors of Mozgov wanting to play back in his home country of Russia next season, but with him being a restricted free agent, Denver owns his rights. Sportando.net first reported that Mozgov was being courted by Lokomotiv Kuban on a four-year deal. Lokomotiv is considered Mozgov's hometown so he would obviously be enticed by this.
With the signing of Hickson, it could make some sense to rescind their qualifying offer to him. Hickson really throws a wrench into Denver's frontcourt that causes issues in giving out minutes.
Is Mozgov returning the Russia with the Hickson signing? Stay tuned to FootBasket as more details on this whole situation unravel.
