Vlatko Cancar has signed a new contract with the Nuggets, according to NBA.com’s transactions log.
Details of the deal weren’t released, but Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette (Twitter link) says the deal is worth the veteran’s minimum. As we noted recently, a one-year minimum deal would pay Cancar $2.3MM while carrying a $2.09MM cap hit.
The 27-year-old power forward became an unrestricted free agent last month when the Nuggets declined their option for next season. However, the two sides continued to negotiate in hopes of keeping him in Denver. They wound up with a new agreement that gives Cancar a slight raise while decreasing his impact on the Nuggets’ cap number.
Cancar missed all of last season with a torn ACL, but he was able to play for Slovenia in this week’s Olympic qualifying tournament and he should be 100% when training camp opens in late September.
Cancar has spent his entire NBA career in Denver after being selected with the 49th pick in the 2017 draft. He was an important contributor during the Nuggets’ championship season, appearing in 60 games and averaging 5.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 14.8 minutes per night.
Given how trash he was for Slovenia in the OQT, that’s super surprising. The Nuggets even went to the tournament to watch him.
Personal belief is that they signed Cancar just to make Jokic happy. Since they are best friends.
Locker room Cancar?
Welcome back king VlatGOAT
Did they confirm if it’s just a 1-year deal?
Yes, one-year minimum deal.