Nuggets Decline Option On Jalen Pickett’s Contract

The Nuggets are declining Jalen Pickett’s fourth-year team option for the 2026/27 season, Bennett Durando of the Denver Post reports.

The 26-year-old guard was due to make $2,406,205 next season. Instead, he’ll hit the unrestricted free agent market unless Denver opts to give him a qualifying offer, though that appears unlikely.

The 32nd overall pick of the 2023 draft, Pickett struggled to break into Denver’s rotation throughout his first three years in the league.

Pickett saw action in 50 games, including 18 starts, last season. He averaged 5.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 16.1 minutes per game. Pickett is a career 38.7 percent shooter from the 3-point line and has a solid assist-to-turnover ratio, which should help him find another NBA opportunity.

Denver can now look for other options to back up Jamal Murray at the point. Tyus Jones, who passed Pickett in the rotation last season, is an unrestricted free agent.