Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN has reported that the Denver Nuggets and unrestricted free agent guard Will Barton could come to terms on a contract that could be completed quickly after the start of the 2018 NBA free agency period.

Every indication pointed towards Barton and the Nuggets coming to terms on a new contract, but for it to happen somewhere near 12:01 AM as free agency begins is much quicker than expected.

Barton has been incredibly important to the Nuggets in so many different ways. He has always been able to score in large amounts when Denver needed it, but he also filled many other roles in 2017-18. He acted as the backup point guard for stretches, started at small forward, made plays for his teammates when the Nuggets needed him to, was always able to get his own shot at will, and even solidified himself as the emotional leader in the Nuggets locker room.

If Barton and the Nuggets do come to an agreement on a new contract, it will without a doubt help the Nuggets in their pursuit of ending the organizations’ five-year playoff drought.