Nuggets Free Agency: Why Paul Millsap is a great target for Denver
By Tom West
The Denver Nuggets are reportedly interested in signing Paul Millsap in NBA free agency, and he could be a great fit with his versatile skill set and much-needed defense. Here’s the case to pursue him.
The Denver Nuggets need to make something happen in 2017 NBA free agency. The thought of a Jimmy Butler trade on draft night came to nothing and the team still needs to make a step forward next season. As amazing as the team’s offense was with a ranking of second in offensive rating from January 1 onward last season, led by the breakout play of fully unleashed point-center Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets aren’t getting anywhere unless their 29th-ranked defense progresses.
They need to make a change in free agency, and there’s one player who could do just that.
If the picture above wasn’t enough of a giveaway, that player and ambitious free agent target is Paul Millsap. After coming close to acquiring Millsap last summer and expressing interest again at this year’s trade deadline, it’s hardly surprising he’s on the team’s radar.
Of course, the Nuggets have plenty of power forwards at their disposal. Kenneth Faried is still around, Darrell Arthur is on the bench, new draft pick Tyler Lydon has arrived, while Wilson Chandler and Juancho Hernangomez can both play power forward, and this isn’t even including Danilo Gallinari (who could easily be leaving in free agency). Ideally, the Nuggets can shift a couple of pieces and finally trade Faried at some point to a team in need of a rebounding energy guy.
Either way, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein and Chris Haynes, the Nuggets “have made upgrading at power forward one of their offseason priorities,” and that Millsap is one player they’re targeting. When answering free agency questions on Twitter, Steve Kyle of Basketball Insiders also mentioned again on June 28 that the Nuggets are “very high on [Millsap].”
Let’s dive into a couple of the major benefits, starting with how well Millsap can complement what Denver so desperately needs on defense.