Apparently, Denver couldn’t flip Pablo Prigioni.
The Nuggets acquired the point guard in the Ty Lawson trade, but they didn’t really want him. They just needed Prigioni’s contract to facilitate the deal.
The Nuggets will owe Prigioni just $440,00 of his $1,734,572 salary if he clears waivers.
But it’s not a lock Prigioni clears waivers. That price isn’t bad for a third point guard, and Prigioni is better than most third point guards. The 38-year-old doesn’t have any upside remaining, but that shouldn’t matter to teams ready to win now – a few of whom have cap room or trade exceptions that could fit Prigioni’s salary.
One example: The Nets, who bought out Deron Williams and traded Steve Blake. Jarrett Jack is line to start at point guard, and Shane Larkin offers decent potential behind him. Prigioni is more dependable – and likely better than anyone Brooklyn could get with the minimum-salary exception it has available. The Nets have a couple trade exceptions that could fit Prigioni’s contract.