Latest southern Colorado news, weather and sports from FOX21 News

DENVER (AP) -- Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo is glad to be back with the team and excited to get on the court.

Afflalo, a restricted free agent, signed a five-year deal with Denver on Tuesday and will start practicing with the team Wednesday. He was not expected to play in the first preseason game Tuesday night against Phoenix.

Afflalo, entering his fifth NBA season, averaged 12.6 points last season and took on a bigger leadership role once Denver dealt Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks in February. The team went 18-7 the rest of the way to make the playoffs.

Although he is 26, Afflalo is one of the veterans on a young team. Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said he expects Afflalo to take on a leadership role this season.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)