The Denver Nuggets plan to sign forward Jerrelle Benimon, 23 years-old, to a partially guaranteed two-year deal, according to Shams Charania of Real GM and Jeff Morton of Denver Stiffs.
Undrafted rookie Jerrelle Benimon has agreed on a partially guaranteed two-year deal with the Denver Nuggets, league sources tell RealGM.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 14, 2014
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>League source confirms to <a href="https://twitter.com/denverstiffs">@denverstiffs</a> that Nuggets will sign Benimon to partial guarantee deal.</p>— Jeff Morton (@jmorton78) <a href="https://twitter.com/jmorton78/statuses/500061426946678784">August 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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More from Charania:
Benimon is scheduled to sign his new Nuggets deal within the next day.
After averaging nearly 10.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists for Denver in the Las Vegas summer league, showcasing a sharp jump shot and an abundance of activity, Benimon received a bevy of free agent interest. The Utah Jazz had been among several teams pursuing Benimon, but the 6-foot-8 forward had familiarity and equity with the Nuggets.
This may come as a surprise, but Benimon was very impressive with his play at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He didn't get much playing time to start the Vegas session, but once his number was called, the Senior out of Towson University in Maryland, didn't disappoint.
Here is what I said about Benimon following Denver’s final game in Vegas against the Lakers:
Jerrelle Benimon had his finest game with 17 points and 15 rebounds (6 offensive). That trio also combined for 10 assists, led by Benimon's 4 dimes. Benimon may not make an NBA roster this season, but his play in Vegas could earn him a training camp invite from somebody and it'd be well-deserved. Benimon has been the guy, outside the three Nuggets prospects, who really stepped up.
The signing of Benimon brings Denver's total roster to 16 players. During the season, teams are only allowed to carry 15 players, but during the off-season they can have up to 20 guys. With Erick Green signing a similar deal to Benimon, it sets up an interesting training camp as the team will have to make a move before the season starts to get down to 15 players.
Green, Benimon, and Quincy Miller appear to be the only three guys on the roster with deals that can be voided before the season, with a small-ish price tag. Let the battles begin as Benimon joins the team as your newest Nugget.
Last season for the Tigers, Benimon averaged 18.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He also shot 52.9% from the field, including 31.8% from deep (on 1.2 attempts) and 71.3% from the foul line. He's a bruising power forward at 6'8" and 245 pounds.
In Vegas, Benimon used his backside so much, he would have made Andre Miller, Carmelo Anthony, and Charles Barkley proud. He played out of position at center, but did a great job on the glass and impressed the Nuggets staff to the point of this rumored contract. He's just the type of player that our very own Andrew Feinstein would love … an undersized power forward picked up off the free agent wires.
