NEW ORLEANS — The sample size isn’t large, just seven games, but point guard Jameer Nelson has made a big impression since joining the Nuggets.
So much so that the Nuggets would like to keep Nelson, acquired in a trade with the Boston Celtics on Jan. 13, for more than just a four-month engagement. That could be difficult, barring the Nuggets making more moves that get rid of significant salary obligations. But look for them to try to convince Nelson to stay.
He’s averaged 12.3 points and 5.0 assists in 23.3 minutes per game since joining the Nuggets. He’s shooting 46 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range. And he has made a positive impact in the locker room.
Asked if Nelson has been better than expected, Nuggets said Brian Shaw said yes.
“You could say better,” Shaw said. “The only thing that’s not better is we haven’t won any games since he’s been here. But last year to this year, I’ve talked about the need for this team to have another point guard. But to be able to get one of his quality that has been an all-star, has played in big games deep in the playoffs, and the kind of leader that he is and the kind of pro that he is, it’s exactly what we needed for this team.”
Nuggets Mailbag:
Collective bargaining agreement rules prohibit the Nuggets from extending Nelson’s current contract, which has one year on it — a player option — that pays him $2.8 million next season. But if Nelson opts out of his contract after the season, then the Nuggets could sign him to a multiyear deal.
Last summer, the Nuggets made a run at him in free agency, but he signed with the Dallas Mavericks, for whom he thought he would get more playing time.
Playing time wouldn’t be an issue this time around. Nelson is already getting major minutes playing behind and alongside Ty Lawson in the Nuggets’ backcourt rotation.
So, Nelson’s decision could come down to money, as well as his confidence that the organization is headed in the right direction. The onus is on the Nuggets to prove that to him.
Nelson isn’t saying what he might do after the season but he knows he’ll have good options after his 11th NBA season. For now, he’s trying to mesh with his new teammates, on and off the court, and learn the Nuggets’ system.
“It’s good,” he said. “Defense is pretty standard. It’s just the offense, the calls, the names. Not the actions, the names of things. This is my third team in five months. So I go from one place, and they call the same thing something else. So, it’s just a matter of time.”
Christopher Dempsey: cdempsey@denverpost.com or
Denver at New Orleans
6 p.m., Wednesday, ALT; 950 AM
Spotlight on Tyreke Evans: Anthony Davis is the headline grabber, and with good reason. But Evans has been important to New Orleans’ success all season, particularly during the Pelicans’ current four-game winning streak. In the past four games, Evans is averaging 16.5 points and 9.0 assists. He’s shooting 47.5 percent from the field.
NOTEBOOK
Nuggets: The Nuggets emerged from Monday night’s game at the L.A. Clippers injury-free. … Randy Foye has struggled since returning from injury. He went 1-of-3 on Monday night in six minutes. In the six games Foye has played since his return, he has made 3-of-21 shots from the field and is averaging just 1.8 points per game. All three of his makes are 3-pointers. He is shooting 3-of-10 from beyond the arc since coming back Jan. 17.
Pelicans: New Orleans has been on a recent hot streak, winner of four consecutive games and five of its last six. The Pelicans have won seven of their last eight home games, including a 99-74 win over Philadelphia on Monday night, and are a season-high three games over .500. … During their four-game winning streak, the Pelicans are holding opponents to just 86.0 points per game.
Christohper Dempsey, The Denver Post
