The Nuggets took a bit step forward when they signed Paul Millsap to a 3 year, $90 million deal in 2017.
The Nuggets were still on the outside looking in in the western conference playoff picture. The addition of Millsap was another move geared towards pushing them towards the next tier. But it is worth wondering if the signing, now three years later, was worth it altogether.
In his first two seasons with the Nuggets, Millsap averaged 14.6 and 12.6 points per game in the starting lineup. This past year, however, he posted 12 points per game, the lowest of his career since the 2009-2010 season with the Utah Jazz.
The Nuggets decided to bring him back for the third year of his contract, exercising their team option on the power forward. While it is hard to know exactly how much the Nuggets would have missed his services had he been let go, Millsap’s interior defense and still serviceable offense would have needed to been replaced.
However, his still expensive final year on his deal might have hijacked the team’s ability to bring in some help at the trade deadline. Because they were closer to the luxury tax line with Millsap’s deal still on the books, it is worth questioning whether or not the team could have brought in some help at the wing position, or at backup point guard.
Once the team traded away Malik Beasley, it was clear that Gerald Green was not going to be the wing help the team is still searching for. Now that Millsap will be an unrestricted free agent, they can get out from under his deal, and give themselves full access to the mid-level exception for multiple seasons, without necessarily giving up anything substantial.
The arrival of Jerami Grant is also an important towards the departure of Millsap and Mason Plumlee. Denver is almost all the way there, but could look to get younger and smaller to get more with the times.