The Denver Nuggets have been without one of their key players recently as he was finishing off negotiations on a new contract extension, but shooting guard Arron Afflalo is back in practice with his teammates on Wednesday. Afflalo recently agreed to a five-year, $43 million contract extension with the Nuggets as a restricted free agent, confirming that he's going to be integral to Denver's success in the future.
Afflalo, 26, has spent the past two years with the Nuggets after being drafted by the Detroit Pistons. After emerging as the Nuggets' starting shooting guard during the 2009-2010 season, Afflalo established himself as a high-quality option at the position last season given his defensive skills and ability to make shots. He's not an impact player on offense, but he's an exceptional defender on the wings and he added 12.6 points per game with Denver last season.
A strong shooter that's nailed 41 percent of the three-point shots that he's taken in his NBA career, Afflalo is expected to emerge as a leader on a young team. Only four players on the roster have more NBA experience than the former UCLA Bruin, whose expected to take an expanded role with the team going forward. The Nuggets should have one of the more intriguing young backcourts in the NBA this season with Ty Lawson and Afflalo leading the way.
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