Nuggets guard Will Barton declines player option, will become free agent

Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton will decline his $14.7 million player option for the 2021-22 season, sources tell The Athletic and Stadium. Both sides are hopeful to find a deal in free agency.

Source: Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter)

ANALYSIS: ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski added that there is strong interest in both sides to negotiate a new deal once free agency begins, saying that Barton’s a top priority for Tim Connelly to keep long-term. Barton missed significant time with a hamstring injury this past season, but returned for the Nuggets second-round matchup vs. the Suns, where he averaged 16.3 points in 27.7 minutes per game.