Denver Nuggets: Full 2019 Offseason Grades
Picking Up Paul Millsap’s Option
The only issue with Millsap’s team option being picked up for this season was the cost of it. He’ll be making $30.35 million this season, which is the most on the team, and that’s more than 25 percent of the salary cap for this year. Among free agents this offseason, just one power forward made more money than Millsap, and that was Kristaps Porzingis.
Millsap was the best defensive option for the Nuggets’ frontcourt last season, and he and Torrey Craig formed a dynamic duo when they were both on the floor. With offensive options like Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray, they didn’t rely on him to be an elite scorer or even a guy to put up 20 points per game. He knew what his role was as a defender and veteran leader, he filled that role perfectly
Whether they signed his replacement with that money or just had more cap space, the Nuggets were unlikely to get a player of Millsap’s caliber with that money. That’s likely what ultimately was the deciding factor for them. If they decline his option and he walks, they had no backup to put in his place or a free agent they could sign. With Grant in the rotation, they’ll be able to keep him fresh for the playoffs, and it’s only one more year. This was a good move for both sides.