DENVER, July 23 -- The Denver Nuggets Monday signed free agent center Ervin Johnson, who had his rights renounced earlier this month by the Seattle SuperSonics, to a multi-year contract. Terms were not disclosed, but it is believed to be a seven-year deal worth $15 million.
The 6-foot-11, 245-pound Johnson was the starting center for the Western Conference champions, but fell out of favor with Sonics coach George Karl during the playoffs and was relegated to the bench in the NBA Finals. Johnson played in 81 games for Seattle and averaged 5.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Johnson will likely take over as the starting center for the Nuggets, who lost seven-footer Dikembe Mutombo as a free agent. Mutombo signed a five-year, $50 million contract with the Hawks eight days ago. 'Ervin Johnson is an important piece for us because he rebounds, blocks shots and runs the court well,' said Nuggets general manager Todd Eley. 'Having been in the league three years and with his athleticism, he's someone we feel will continue to get better. In addition, Ervin is yet another player we've added with playoff experience.' The Sonics renounced Johnson and veteran Frank Brickowski before signing free agent center Jim McIlvaine to a seven-year contract Monday. The 28-year-old Johnson was a first-round pick of the Sonics in the 1993 draft. He averaged 18.4 points and 11.9 rebounds per game as a senior at the University of New Orleans. Denver re-signed guard Brian Stith on Monday and swingman Dale Ellis late last week. The team also acquired guards Mark Jackson, Ricky Pierce and Sarunas Marciulionis in off-season trades.