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2022 Free Agents - P.J. Dozier

Summary
Dozier was another nice find for the Nuggets front office. After spending the majority of his first two seasons in the G-League, the Nuggets signed Dozier to a two-way contract in 2019 and eventually converted his contract into a regular NBA contract. Dozier even closed some playoff games for the Nuggets in 2020.

While Dozier isn't great at any specific skill, he doesn't have many weaknesses. He's not a great shooter, but he at least has to be defended from the perimeter. He's not someone that will isolate and create opportunities for others off the dribble, but he can attack closeouts and finishes decently at the rim. On defense, he has enough size to guard multiple positions, even if he's a little slender to guard the bigger, elite wings.

If Dozier can continue to develop his offensive game, he could become a starting caliber player. He's already 25, so it may not be wise to expect any major leaps, but teams shouldn't have to worry about any decline if they sign him to a short-term contract.

Dozier will be coming off a torn ACL that took him out for essentially all of the '21-'22 season, and he may not even be ready for the start of the '21-'22 season. Dozier may only be looking at short, "prove-it" type contracts to show he can get back to his level of play before suffering the injury. I think Dozier would be wise to find target a team that is at least somewhat competitive and has some rotation minutes available, because that may be his best way to show he can contribute again.
 
Cap Considerations
Dozier was waived by the Magic during the '21-'22 season after being traded from Boston, and previously Denver.

Teams will have multiple ways to sign Dozier as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, Taxpayer MLE, or possibly even the Room MLE or Bi-Annual Exception to sign him. It's also possible that Dozier only gets minimum offers, especially considering he is coming off a torn ACL suffered in November of 2021.

Potential Teams: Pacers, Cavaliers, Bucks, Celtics, Heat

Predicted Contract: 1-year, $2.1 million ($1.8 million cap hit) with the Pacers

Actual Contract: 1-year, $2.1 million (non-guaranteed) with the Timberwolves

Dozier ended up signing with the Timberwolves, but will have to play well in training camp in order to make the final 15-man roster.

Last updated: 9/17/2022

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