In need of more depth on the wing, and additional defensive presence, the Nuggets signed free-agent forward Alonzo Gee on Wednesday. He passed a physical in the afternoon and was in uniform for the game against Phoenix.

He did not go through shootaround so the game was the first opportunity for Nuggets coach Michael Malone to coach him.

“I’ve been a fan of him from afar for many years,” Malone said. “Obviously he was here prior to my getting the job last year.”

Gee was with the Nuggets in 2014 while Brian Shaw was the coach. The Nuggets liked his hustle and defense then, and nothing has changed now. Asked what Gee brings to the Nuggets, Malone said “just his athleticism and his defensive versatility, a guy who can guard literally the (point guard) through (power forward) positions. If you have to throw him out there, you know exactly what you’re getting.”

Gee played with the New Orleans Pelicans last season, but was released Oct. 24 in the final cut to reach the regular-season roster limit.

Gee played in 73 games last season, but ruptured his right rectus femoris muscle March 28. He averaged 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game. The Nuggets released center Jarnell Stokes, who had won the final roster spot coming out of training camp, to make room to add Gee.

Arthur returns. Darrell Arthur returned to the lineup, as most of the soreness in his left knee has subsided. He missed six of the Nuggets’ first 10 games because of ongoing issues with the knee, on which he had arthroscopic surgery in the summer. He was on a minutes limit and will continue to be in the near future.