Nuggets Rumors: Paul Millsap to meet with Denver on July 1
By Tom West
The Denver Nuggets have emerged as a “frontrunner” in the NBA free agency race for All-Star Paul Millsap, and will meet with him on July 1.
The Denver Nuggets are looking to make an upgrade at power forward in NBA free agency, and their interest in Paul Millsap has continued. According to Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune, Millsap is meeting with the Nuggets today (July 1).
Paul Millsap will meet with the Denver Nuggets tomorrow, league sources tell The Salt Lake Tribune
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) July 1, 2017
It’s not news that Millsap should be leaving the Atlanta Hawks this summer, so it’s good for the Nuggets that they’re meeting with him right at the start of the free agency process to try and win him over. They’ve reportedly emerged as a frontrunner to sign him along with the Minnesota Timberwolves (more on all that here), furthering the frequent reports of their interest both now and over the last year.
Denver came close to trading for Millsap last summer and targeted him again at the trade deadline in February, so don’t expect the team to be tentative with what they’ll be ready to offer now.
More from Nugg Love
- Was trading Bones Hyland a mistake for the Denver Nuggets?
- Did Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets break Anthony Davis?
- Denver Nuggets stars face serious disrespect in recent NBA rankings poll
- What will it take for Denver Nuggets star to become ‘inevitable?’
- Denver Nuggets NBA Training Camp report, other preseason dates to know
Seeing as Millsap is an almost perfect power forward to partner with Nikola Jokic, from the much-needed versatile defense to his 3-point range and face-up scoring, the Nuggets could easily offer Millsap the max, if not close to it. At 32 years old, this should be the last big deal of Millsap’s career and he’ll want a fair sum.
At the same time, of course, his age brings about an issue: you don’t want to be overpaying a declining player in his mid to late thirties with $30 million a year. If Denver can capture Millsap’s interest with the thought of playing alongside Jokic and sell him on how he can help lock the team into the playoffs as a young, exciting team on the rise, they may be able to haggle hard enough to ensure the deal isn’t too long (perhaps no more than three years if they’re lucky).
Next: Why Paul Millsap is a great fit with the Nuggets
Whatever happens with Millsap, we’ll keep you posted here at Nugg Love. For now, all we know is that Denver aren’t letting up their pursuit and that they have a decent shot to land a star free agent.
