Nuggets Free Agency: The benefit of a Paul Millsap sign-and-trade

The Denver Nuggets have emerged as the favorite to lock up Paul Millsap in NBA free agency. Could the best way to bring him onboard be a sign-and-trade?

The Denver Nuggets couldn’t be in a better spot in the NBA free agency race for Paul Millsap. They’ve emerged as the likely front runners after the Phoenix Suns dropped out, and seeing as the Minnesota Timberwolves may be out as well (per David Aldridge), the Nuggets are in a strong position to come to an agreement. They’ve held their meeting with Millsap now and a decision could be on the way on Sunday.

Typically, there’s no reason for a sign-and-trade if a team in the Nuggets’ position can afford the player they want to sign, anyway. Chris Paul may have orchestrated something similar to a sign-and-trade after opting into his deal for 2017-18 before being dealt to Houston, but that was to help the Rockets’ clear enough cap space to fit him on their roster and to give the LA Clippers a helping hand so they didn’t lose him for nothing.

Similarly, the Nuggets could consider a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Millsap, if he wants to come to Denver.

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The Nuggets have a bunch of power forwards already with Kenneth Faried (who has been connected to Atlanta in Millsap trade talks before), Darrell Arthur, rookie Tyler Lydon and forwards who can play at the four such as Wilson Chandler and Juancho Hernangomez. They aren’t all needed and moving someone during the sign-and-trade — let’s say Faried and another small piece if necessary, for example — would instantly free up the roster jam somewhat and remove Faried’s $13.76 million salary for 2017-18.

As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently said on The Basketball Analogy podcast, there’s a good chance Millsap moves with a sign-and-trade and Atlanta has already had conversations about it:

"I think Paul Millsap, out of all the other things, I think Paul Millsap has the highest chance. I mean maybe he signs with Phoenix straight out and it doesn’t even matter. I think, I know in fact, sign and trade conversations have already happened involving Millsap and the Hawks. So that’s one place to look for sure."

With the salary cap not being quite as high as expected this summer and there being far less money flying around then last year, sign-and-trades can help teams shift the pieces necessary to bring in new players.

Next: Who should the Nuggets sign?

The Nuggets don’t have to, but to free up some space on their roster, clear out the frontcourt a little and create more cap space to use on another signing (or to help re-sign Danilo Gallinari), it could make a lot of sense.