The Denver Nuggets were always open to a reunion with veteran forward Jeff Green if it came at the right price.
But they were also comfortable if Green found a more lucrative deal elsewhere.
Green, who spent the last two years in Denver and was a key piece of their championship rotation, agreed on a one-year, $6 million deal with the Houston Rockets, a league source confirmed to The Denver Post.
Green, who’s almost 37 years old, averaged over 17 minutes per game for the Nuggets in the playoffs. He was also always one of the steadying voices in the locker room and a favorite of Nuggets coach Michael Malone.
His departure clears a path for some of Denver’s other forwards to develop. Heading into next season, the onus will shift from Green to young forwards Peyton Watson, Zeke Nnaji and Vlatko Cancar.
The departures of Green and Bruce Brown (to Indiana) mean Denver’s bench will look significantly different and likely younger next season. Similar to this season, Denver’s reserves could be a work in progress.
Summer League roster announced: The Nuggets’ Summer League roster, announced on Saturday, looks almost as expected.
Second-year prospects Peyton Watson and Collin Gillespie will headline the group, which will also include all three of Denver’s rookies – Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett and Hunter Dyson. Christian Braun, a potential selection, won’t be on the roster.
Armaan Franklin, Andrew Funk, Ismael Kamagate, Grant Golden, Aamir Simms, Taz Sherman, Mark Smith and Cassius Stanley will round out the roster.
Nuggets assistant coach John Beckett will coach the squad that will head to Las Vegas later this week. Former two-way forward Jack White agreed to a two-year deal with Oklahoma City on Saturday, a source confirmed to The Post.
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