NBA Rumors: Former Lakers Guard Nearing Deal To Play For Denver Nuggets

Troy Daniels could find himself with another title contender this season not even a week from being released by the Los Angeles Lakers as he is reported to be closing in on a deal to play for the Denver Nuggets.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN posted Wednesday that the veteran shooter, through his agent, is now on the wrapping up stages on the terms with the Nuggets, on the heels of clearing the waivers from his release in LA.

“Free-agent guard Troy Daniels is finalizing a deal with Denver, league sources tell ESPN. His agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports worked out a release with Lakers, and Daniels cleared waivers today,” Wojnarowski wrote.

The 28-year-old averaged 4.2 points and 1.1 rebounds in 41 games with the Lakers, who came into a mutual agreement with him about the release, executing it before the playoff eligibility deadline on March 1 to warrant that he is still entitled to sign with another contender heading to the postseason.

The Los Angeles franchise justified that the move is a win-win situation for both the team and Daniels as they seek to boost its line-up by opening up a roster spot for a top-caliber free agent while not taking away the latter’s chance to see action in the Playoffs.

"We wanted to maintain the flexibility to add a player if we need one, if we have a particular injury to a position. If we were to do something and cross that road at some point, and we had to use Troy's roster spot, then Troy would be left out in the cold. So we wanted to do the right thing by the player and also obviously give ourselves some flexibility if we need to make some type of move in the future,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said.

The Nuggets are at third place behind the two Los Angeles teams in the Western Conference standings, trailing the Lakers at the top by 6.5 games. Daniels could face his former team when they visit Los Angeles on March 15 to take on the Purple and Gold, looking to tie the season series.