The Denver Nuggets are expected to add free-agent forward Jarnell Stokes to its training camp roster, Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post reported Sunday night.
#Nuggets are expected to add 2015-16 D-League MVP Jarnell Stokes to the training camp roster.
— Chris Dempsey (@chrisadempsey) September 4, 2016
Stokes, the 2015-’16 D-League Most Valuable Player, was last on the NBA scene with the Miami Heat.
In just 5 appearances with the Heat last year, Stokes scored 7 points and grabbed 2 rebounds in a total of 14 minutes. The Heat were loaded with frontcourt depth, meaning Stokes wasn’t going to get a real chance at proving himself worthy of a contract. Now, he’ll have that opportunity once training camp begins in a few weeks.
A 6’11 forward out of Tennessee, he received free-agent interest from several teams over the summer. Besides Denver, who’s been interested in adding Stokes ever since the offseason began, the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and numerous clubs overseas were heavily interested in him.
Much of the reason why Jarnell Stokes received interest on the market this summer was a result of his successful 2015-’16 stint with Sioux Falls. Stokes put up respectable numbers in the NBA’s development league, averaging 20.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest last season.
For Denver, an addition of Stokes would bring their training camp roster count to the maximum 20 players. Stokes will strive to make the Nuggets’ 15th and final roster spot for opening day.
He was selected #35 overall by Utah in the 2014 NBA draft.