By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A new season after offseason international action corresponds with a fresh start for Vlatko Cancar.
The Denver Nuggets decided to decline their option and make the Slovenian small forward a free agent this summer, according to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. However, Cancar is expected to later sign a new contract with a minimum salary, as noted by Durando.
Cancar, 27, is currently practicing with the senior national team of Slovenia, preparing to represent his country in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in Piraeus, Greece. Taking part in the training camp is a huge upgrade, compared to sitting out the entire 2023-24 edition of the NBA after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee during a game with Slovenia last summer.
Following the summer international schedule possibly extending to the 2024 Olympic Games, Cancar reporting healthy to the Nuggets training camp would likely recover his playing time from before the serious injury. In the 2022-23 championship run, he contributed 5.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, averaging 14.8 minutes per game over 60 appearances in the Regular Season for the team coached by Michael Malone, but settled for a total of ten minutes through five features in the Playoffs.
In 2017, the Nuggets selected Cancar with the 49th overall pick of the draft. After moving his talents to the league based in North America, he logged 142 appearances. Early professional experience included 14 games played in the Basketball Champions League with Mega Leks.