Barton has been a better-than-average bench player in the league over recent seasons, as he has seen a major increase in numbers over the past two years. Barton is posting averages of 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks per game in 28.0 minutes of action during that two-year span. His 3.4 assists per game last season were a career-high and that may be his biggest weapon coming off the bench. A pseudo guard-forward who can distribute and score is what makes him so valuable and Barton may see an increase in production with Danilo Gallinari out of the picture. That's 34.0 minutes and 18.2 points per game that needs to be made up, and Barton should be one of the main beneficiaries with no other legitimate small forwards added to the roster. Barton may even handle the ball for the second-unit, as he's proven in the past that he can run an offense off the bench.

After excelling in a bench role in 28 games for Denver in 2014-15 after coming over from Portland at the trade deadline, Barton took his productivity up a notch last season while settling in as the Nuggets' sixth man. Barton appeared in all 82 games, averaging 14.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest while shooting 43.2 percent from the floor and 34.5 percent from three-point range. He was particularly hot early in the season, compiling averages of 15.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in 54 outings before the All-Star break. His numbers tailed off a bit in the second half, but Barton remains one of the NBA's best values, with the Nuggets owing him just over $7.1 million over the next two seasons. From a pure production standpoint, there's plenty like about Barton, but he'll find himself in a crowded wing rotation this season. The Nuggets added Jamal Murray and Malik Beasley in the backcourt via the draft, while forwards Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler are expected at full strength after missing a combined 132 games in 2015-16. If both Gallinari and Chandler are able to stay healthy, it may be difficult for Barton to approach the career-high 28.7 minutes per game he averaged last season. Still, he's enough of an all-around producer to warrant a mid-to-late-round selection on draft day.

It appeared as if the Nuggets got very little in return when they traded Arron Afflalo to Portland last season, but Barton ended up being a steal and a nice addition to the Denver roster. After being stuck in a limited role with the Blazers averaging just 12 minutes per game, Barton averaged 24 minutes in his 28 games with the Nuggets. Along with doubling his minutes, he destroyed his career averages across the board, averaging 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He also shot 44 percent from the field to go along with 81 percent from the line. Barton also averaged 1.2 steals, and 0.5 blocks a game and proved to be an energy-provider that the Nuggets desperately needed. He plays a lot like former-Nugget Corey Brewer, and his biggest asset to the team is energy and hustle. Look for Barton to be a spark-plug off the bench for Denver this season and provide valuable minutes when the Nuggets need a boost off the bench.

Entering his third NBA season, Will Barton has his work cut out for him in his quest to break into the Blazers' deep guard rotation. After averaging 4.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in nine minutes across 41 games last season, the 23-year-old's primary offseason aim was to improve as a facilitator, but in five outings at the Las Vegas Summer League, his ball handling wavered, as he totaled 15 assists versus 19 turnovers. Otherwise, his tendencies included double-digit scoring (14.4 points on 38-percent shooting), at least four rebounds (6.4 average), 1.2 steals, and exactly 1.0 three-pointer per contest. He'll be hard-pressed to tear away minutes from Steve Blake and CJ McCollum behind All-Star point man Damian Lillard, seemingly containing Barton's appearances to garbage time and openings following a potential injury to one of Portland's guards. On the other hand, if he's able to scrounge up consistent playing time, the 6-6, 174 pound Barton has displayed a knack for rebounding, ringing in with a LeBron James-esque 6.2 rebounds per 36 minutes in his career.

The 40th selection in the 2012 draft, Barton averaged 15 points (on 44.4 percent shooting) and 4.4 boards over five tilts during Summer League action. He may not earn many minutes behind Matthews, Batum, or Nolan Smith at the two, but he should nonetheless have some memorable garbage-time performances.