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On Tuesday, the Denver Nuggets reportedly signed R.J. Hampton, who was the 24th overall pick in the NBA draft, to his rookie contract, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Hampton, according to the report, completed his contract buyout with the New Zealand Breakers on Monday to pave the way to sign his deal with the Nuggets. Hampton will earn $1,827,900 next season with the Nuggets as the No. 24 pick.
The 19-year-old averaged 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 15 games played with the Breakers last season. He was once viewed as a potential lottery pick but ultimately slipped to Denver near the end of the first round.
Guard R.J. Hampton — the 24th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft — has signed his rookie deal with the Denver Nuggets, agent @DanielWFrank of Lift Sports Management tells ESPN. Hampton completed his buyout agreement with the New Zealand Breakers on Monday night, Frank said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 1, 2020
Despite falling a bit in the draft, the Nuggets add a player that projects to have plenty of room to grow. He missed time last season with an injury and never appeared to get completely comfortable on the court and has yet to fully unlock his potential.
The Nuggets have added a few low risk, high upside players, through the draft in recent memory in Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol and Hampton is yet another player that could potentially become a steal in the future. Denver is certainly banking on that possibility.
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