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Denver Nuggets: The case for starting Bol Bol in 2021

By Austin Connolly

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 30: Bol Bol #10 of the Denver Nuggets poses for a portrait during the Denver Nuggets Media Day at Pepsi Center on September 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 30: Bol Bol #10 of the Denver Nuggets poses for a portrait during the Denver Nuggets Media Day at Pepsi Center on September 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 19: Paul Millsap is congratulated by center Nikola Jokic #15 and guard Jamal Murray #27 Denver Nuggets against the Utah Jazz during the first half of game two in the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 19, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 19: Paul Millsap is congratulated by center Nikola Jokic #15 and guard Jamal Murray #27 Denver Nuggets against the Utah Jazz during the first half of game two in the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 19, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

Outgrowing Paul Millsap

Although Denver was able to upset the Los Angeles Clippers by recovering from their second 3-1 deficit in as many series, the Los Angeles Lakers put them away in just five games in the Western Conference Finals.

Despite the ugly loss, we learned that the Nuggets’ All-Star duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray can score with just about anyone. With skilled forward Michael Porter Jr. showing flashes of brilliance throughout the 2019-20 season but particularly within the NBA bubble, things are looking up for Denver.

Unfortunately, the offensive end is only one side of the ball. When looking at the defensive end of the floor, a few issues come to the surface.

First and foremost, the Nuggets’ locker room leader — Paul Millsap — is 35-years-old and set to become a free agent. Although his numbers may not suggest it, there’s a direct correlation between the three-year, $90 million deal Millsap signed with Denver in 2017 and the franchise’s culture change.

One has to wonder though. Have the Nuggets outgrown Millsap like the pre-dynasty Warriors did with All-Star David Lee?

Last year, Millsap averaged 11.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game on 48.2% percent shooting from the field and a career-high 43.5% from 3-point range (on 2.4 attempts per game). Although those are solid numbers, particularly in terms of efficiency, they shouldn’t be too difficult to replicate.

The next logical choice in the depth chart would be starting Jerami Grant in his place.

Over the course of the 2020 NBA Playoffs, Grant averaged 11.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 40.6% from the field and 32.6% from 3-point range (on 5.0 attempts per game). In these ways, one can see how Grant could be a viable replacement for Millsap.

However, Grant is expected to decline his $9.3 million player option for the 2020-21 season and become a free agent this offseason. The 26-year-old has drawn interest from a number of teams, including those with the most cap space to offer impending free agents.

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