Barton returned to a bench role in Monday's win over the Trail Blazers, finishing with 11 points (4-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, and an assist over 23 minutes.

EDGE Analysis

After seeing 39 minutes in the Nuggets' previous game against the Warriors, the greater competitiveness of Monday's contest along with the larger lineup of the Blazers resulted in a significant decline in minutes for Barton. So long as Joffrey Lauvergne (back) remains unavailable, the Nuggets will likely decide between J.J. Hickson and Barton for starting duties, with the latter option more suitable when coach Mike Malone wants to play small ball. As a result, Barton's minutes total could have some variation from game to game.

Barton made his first start of the season Friday, scoring 19 points (7-16 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT) with eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in 39 minutes during a loss to the Warriors.

EDGE Analysis

If this was an audition for a regular role in the starting lineup, it looks like Barton passed it with flying colors. The third-year guard is now averaging 13.5 points, 4.5 boards and 1.5 steals on the season, but if he remains in the starting five or at least gets a starter's workload on a consistent basis, his numbers should rise.

Barton will get the start Friday in Golden State.

EDGE Analysis

Barton has been playing well this season, and is getting the start in Denver's small ball lineup. He's averaging 12.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 0.6 threes in 23 minutes per game. A good performance in the starting role could potentially earn him more minutes.

Barton poured in 12 points (3-7 FG, 6-6 FT), four rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block over 20 minutes in Thursday's 96-84 loss to the Jazz.

EDGE Analysis

The fourth-year pro has been a sure bet for efficient, double-digit scoring performances off the bench in each of Denver's first five games this season. Despite averaging only 23 minutes per game to date, Barton is averaging 12.4 points and 3.8 rebounds nightly. As a shooting guard he predictably doesn't offer much in the way of dimes, but has also contributed at least one steal in each contest in 2015-16.

Barton scored 15 points (6-12 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT) with three rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes off the bench during Sunday's loss to the Thunder.

EDGE Analysis

Most of his court time came when the game was well out of reach, but Barton has still picked up where he left off last season after being picked up by the Nuggets, averaging 13.3 points, 3.7 boards, 1.7 steals and 1.0 threes through the first three games.

Barton totaled 19 points (6-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 10 rebounds, and two assists in a preseason win over the Suns on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Barton really shined last season off the bench for the Nuggets and he appears to be right back at it this year. With very little depth coming off the bench for the Nugs, Barton should see plenty of minutes this season. It wouldn't be a stretch to see him set career-highs across the board, as he more than doubled his career averages in his 28 games with Denver last season.

Barton posted 17 points (6-12 FG), three rebounds, two assists and four blocks in a 112-94 win over the Bulls on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Barton posted career-highs across the board last season and this performance would indicate he's back at it again this year. Not only does he provide across the board, he's one of few energizer bunnies off the bench for the Nuggets and they'll need him to play well in their second unit if they are to hold teams off with the subpar roster. The only worry for Barton is the depth that the nuggets have at the shooting guard and small forward positions, as they have Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Randy Foye, Mike Miller, and Gary Harris all vying for minutes at those spots.

Barton has agreed to a deal with the Nuggets worth $11 million over the next three years, David Aldridge of NBA.com reports. Barton began last season in Portland but was traded in mid-February to the Nuggets as part of the Arron Afflalo deal. After 58 total appearances last season, the former Memphis Tiger averaged just under 17 minutes on the court and seems to be in store for a similar role off the bench during the upcoming campaign. Barton will be competing with veteran Randy Foye and 20-year-old Gary Harris for time on the court, with Foye having a slight edge in terms of value.

Barton was tendered a qualifying offer by the Nuggets on Tuesday, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders reports. The offer designated Barton as a restricted free agent this offseason, providing the Nuggets the right to match any offer he may receive from another team. The former Memphis standout has shown flashes of his ability to play in transition and defend at a high level, but he's not likely to garner an overly lucrative offer, making it likely that he remains in Denver next season.

Barton said Wednesday that he hopes to return to Denver next season, the Denver Post reports. "I definitely would like to come back," Barton said. "They gave me a chance. I feel like we've got some good guys on this team, and if we keep building we have a strong future." Barton, who came to Denver in the Arron Afflalo deal, averaged 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals for the Nuggets over the final two months of the season after playing sparingly in Portland. The Memphis product is set to become a restricted free agent this summer, and the Nuggets are expected to tender a qualifying offer. Doing so would afford the team the opportunity to to match any offer Barton might receive from another team. Of course, the offseason is still in its infantile stages, but at this point it appears as though Denver and Barton are headed toward a multi-year agreement.