J.J. Hickson (knee) has been cleared for full-contact basketball activities following last season's ACL tear, The Denver Post reports.

Hickson (knee) has been cleared for full-contact basketball activities following last season's ACL tear, The Denver Post reports.

Analysis:

Hickson will still be suspended for the first five games of this season for violating the league's anti-drug program, but it appears he'll be able to resume playing once that punishment is completed. That's because Hickson has already been fully cleared following his ACL tear suffered in March. Along with that remarkably quick recovery, Hickson said he won't wear a brace on his knee this season. Hickson averaged 11.8 points and 9.2 rebounds in 26.9 minutes across 69 games (52 starts) last season, but the return of center JaVale McGee (leg) could confine Hickson to the power forward position for most of this season.