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Report: Blazers interested in signing Nuggets free agent Paul Millsap

By Quenton S. Albertie

May 12, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4) attempts a three-point basket over Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner (1) in the fourth quarter in the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4) attempts a three-point basket over Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner (1) in the fourth quarter in the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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The offseason already hasn’t been quite settling for the Denver Nuggets so far, with forward Jerami Grant declining his player option for the 2020-21 season and a sought after trade target slipping through their grasp.

Now, the Nuggets set their sights to Paul Millsap, who The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reports is expected to draw interest from the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason.

As the Blazers acquired forward Robert Covington from the Houston Rockets via trade shortly after O’Connor’s report, Portland probably needs a forward less now than when he relayed the information. However, with Blazers forward Rodney Hood declining his player option for the 2020-21 season and Carmelo Anthony becoming a free agent this offseason as well, their depth at forward does still need to be addressed.

Millsap is losing effectiveness on both ends as he age catches up to him but he’s a savvy veteran whose defense and ability to operate as a stretch-4 still give him on-court value.

Portland also likely saw how Millsap was able to guard Anthony Davis well — for the most part — throughout the 2020 Western Conference Finals. The Los Angeles Lakers knocked the Blazers out of the playoffs in the first round and The Brow was a substantial factor in their loss.

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Millsap is expected to draw interest from the Miami Heat as well and where Portland can only offer Millsap the $9.3 million mid-level exception (barring a sign-and-trade), the Heat will have $21.9 million in cap space this offseason. Still, if the Blazers are offering a similar contract as the Nuggets but a more substantial role, they could still be stiff competition for Denver’s locker room leader.