Nuggets: Paul Millsap talks about his excitement to join Denver

Paul Millsap has officially signed his three-year, $90 million contract with the Denver Nuggets, and he’s incredibly excited to return to Denver and join his new team.

The Denver Nuggets and their fans have been incredibly excited about Paul Millsap, from the reports that they became front runners to sign him in NBA free agency to the news that he’d actually agreed to a three-year, $90 million deal. It’s official now. And Millsap himself sure sounds excited to be in Denver.

More so than just $60 million of guaranteed money over the first two years of his contract (there’s a team option on the third year), Millsap has plenty of reasons to be excited about joining the Nuggets. For one, it’s given him a chance to return to Denver. After being born in Monroe, Louisiana, he spent 12 years of his childhood living in Montbello, Denver before he returned to Louisiana for high school and college.

“To be back after so many years is an amazing feeling,” Millsap said at his initial press conference, per T.J. McBride of BSN Denver. “Words cannot explain how much Denver meant to me as I grew up here.”

It’s clear there’s a special connection to Denver for Millsap. Rather than just trying his luck with a young, hopefully team and taking a bunch of money, he’s also heading to a city that feels like the right fit.

For the Nuggets, the addition of Millsap is huge for the franchise. The four-time All-Star is probably the best free agent they’ve ever signed, and they’ve wanted him for some time, too.

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They almost traded for Millsap last summer and were interested in him once again this February at the trade deadline. His balanced offensive skill set — featuring great passing to pair with Nikola Jokic, three-point range and strong scoring off the dribble and in the post — and elite defensive versatility has been coveted by the Nuggets for a long time, so finally bringing Millsap onboard was the top goal in free agency. Furthermore, being able to acquire Millsap without giving up any valuable assets in a trade makes his arrival that much better.

“This is amazing. I am so excited to be here,” Millsap said, as McBride added in another tweet. “The sales pitch was unbelievable… I feel like there is unfinished business here.”

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The Nuggets had a lot to sell Millsap on. The money, the return to Denver, their need for his leadership and defense, his fit next to Jokic. Everything was lined up for this partnership to finally work out. Now that it has, the Nuggets’ ceiling is far higher for next season. Seeing this up and coming team make the playoffs is definitely within reach, and Millsap has a chance to help lead them their right away.