Former Arizona Wildcats standout forward Richard Jefferson has agreed to a one-year, $2.3 million contract with the Denver Nuggets, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Jefferson cleared waivers on Monday. He was traded by the Cavaliers to the Hawks on Saturday in a cost-cutting and roster-trimming move by Cleveland. Atlanta immediately waived him.
Jefferson is entering his 17th season in the NBA, which is the second-longest tenure of a former Arizona player, behind Jason Terry, who is embarking on his 19th season. Terry is in his second season with Milwaukee.
Denver will likely waive veteran point guard Jameer Nelson to make room for Jefferson, according to Wojnarowski.
Jefferson will likely back up small forward Wilson Chandler until Chandler’s primary backup, Will Barton, returns from an ankle injury suffered in practice on Monday.
The Bucks were considered contenders for Jefferson’s services — where he could team up with Terry — but they signed another ex-Cavalier, DeAndre Liggins, on Monday.
Jefferson, 37, averaged 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game in 79 regular-season games last year for the Cavaliers, with whom he won an NBA title in 2016.
Contractually, Jefferson will collect two paybacks. He’ll also receive $2 million from the Hawks, according to ESPN.
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