Jusuf Nurkic (knee) had his team option picked up for the 2016-17 season by the Nuggets on Sunday, Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post reports.

Nurkic (knee) had his team option picked up for the 2016-17 season by the Nuggets on Sunday, Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post reports.

Analysis:

Nurkic continues to rehab the torn patella in his left knee, for which he required surgery in July. It looks unlikely that he'll be ready to play for at least the first handful of regular-season games, but the Nuggets' decision to extend him through the end of the 2016-17 season illustrates that he's still an integral part of the team's long-term plans. Joffrey Lauvergne is currently the favorite to step in as the Nuggets' starting center to begin the season, but after he showcased plenty of ability as a rebounder and shot blocker in limited minutes as a rookie, look for Nurkic to reclaim the starting role once he's healthy.