Mason Plumlee

[...] Miles [Plumlee] signed his deal in the summer of 2016, a year of significant overspend, particularly at the frontcourt spots. Mason was signed in the summer of 2017, when there was still some residual cap excess to be had. The summer of 2018, though, had no such overage. It is telling that Mason Plumlee signed for more per year than the man he was traded for (and the man who latterly easily surpassed him on the court), Jusuf Nurkic, to the tune of $13.7 million per year compared to $12 million. Such is the difference between the 2017 and 2018 centre markets.[...]

Mason Plumlee
C - 6’11, 255lbs - 28 years old - 5 years of experience

Plumlee’s role on this team always was hard to establish, and it still is. He is a decent individual player with valid questions surrounding his location and his usage. Plumlee started much of the year alongside Nikola Jokic, and did his best, but considering his limited skills, this does not feel like the right role. Which begs the question of what would be.

It never made sense why a team with twelve power forwards would so often start Plumlee the reserve centre alongside the star five man he should be backing up. Ostensibly it was to provide the interior defence that Jokic needs and that was lost with Paul Millsap’s absence, but considering Plumlee cannot shoot away from the basket and draws so little defensive attention, the impact on the spacing and offensive fluidity offset that. The team as a whole were distinctly when this was the way things worked; the idea that Plumlee would shore up the defence would only be true if he was a great interior defender rather than average, and having both he and Jokic in the game together became a switch-drawingfest for the opposition.

In theory, considering that his clear-cut best offensive skill is his passing, Plumlee should remain a Jokic backup, filling his role on the offensive end (or the passing bit at least) while playing better if not stand-out defence around the basket. And maybe if Millsap stays healthy next year, he will. Regardless, Plumlee is decent but limited – his passing skill only has value if he draws the defence in the first place. And if he catches the pass.

Player Plan: Two years and $26,958,904 remaining, all guaranteed. It’s a lot for a backup centre, and so even if there are no other options at this point, see if there is a market. While not ideal, given the desire to play him alongside Jokic as much as possible, Millsap could handle the backup centre minutes while still starting at the four spot.

Mason Plumlee
C, 6’11, 245lbs, 27 years old, 4 years of experience

Plumlee’s production, hitherto high in Portland amidst something of a breakout season (particularly in the assists column), tapered off after his arrival to Denver, where Jokic took shares of both his minutes and the ball. Nevertheless, Plumlee was still productive, a strong rebounder and capable finisher who tries hard defensively around the rim without the greatest natural quickness. If kept around - which is far from certain - Plumlee could be one of the league’s best backup centres. Limiting his minutes in this way however would make the trade to acquire him not one of particularly good value.

Player Plan: Entering restricted free agency. There are a couple of teams who will have significant money to spend this summer who are in the market for a starting centre, who might come after him. But even though the team’s salary picture is so clear that a big salary for Plumlee can be afforded, be careful; he projects only as a backup for the team, would lose trade value if overpaid, and the money will need to be spent elsewhere in the near future.

Mason Plumlee

Plumlee has the offensive skill that his brother Miles doesn't. That's not to say he's a hugely polished offensive player, but he's better. Plumlee has rescued his free throw percentage from terrible to average, hits a few mid range jumpers, and has a hook shot and a reasonable handle. He'll run the floor, has all the athleticism of a true Plumlee, and has a good rebounding rate. However, Plumlee can be a little clumsy, soft and mistake prone, moreso than you'd like from a four year college grad. But the height, athleticism, and decent skill level show good potential.