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Nuggets starting lineup: Locks, fringe and potential break-ins

By Quenton S. Albertie

Sep 5, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4) celebrates with guard Jamal Murray (27) and guard Gary Harris (14) and center Nikola Jokic (15) after making a basket against the LA Clippers during the first half of game two in the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4) celebrates with guard Jamal Murray (27) and guard Gary Harris (14) and center Nikola Jokic (15) after making a basket against the LA Clippers during the first half of game two in the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 30: Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets and Will Barton #5 reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 30, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 30: Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets and Will Barton #5 reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 30, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Fringe: Gary Harris, Will Barton, Paul Millsap

Gary Harris, Will Barton and Paul Millsap find themselves in an interesting and uncomfortable position but one that’s rather common, truth be told. Despite being all but full-time starters for the Nuggets last season, none of their roles — or their spots in the starting lineup — are set in stone.

The primary reason? Players like Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol, who are so talented that it seemed negligent to have them riding on the pine for aging or hobbled veterans like Millsap and Barton.

That said, Harris has the best chance of retaining his starting spot.

Harris returned to the court during the 2020 NBA Playoffs looking as lithe and healthy as ever. He’s also an elite defender who complements and takes some of the pressure off Murray in the backcourt, much like the Boston Celtics’ backcourt duo of Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart.

My best educated guess would see Harris return as Denver’s starting two-guard. There, his perimeter defense and off-ball offense makes him a low-usage impact player that enhances the team’s chemistry and effectiveness on both ends.

As for both Barton and Millsap, although Nuggets head coach Michael Malone will undoubtedly give them a chance to keep their starting spots and rightfully so, it’s probably time to bring them both off of the bench.

In Barton’s case, Denver gets a steady scoring sixth man while Barton minimizes the strain on his body and his risk of injury by going against second-string players. Millsap, though a great catch-and-shoot or pick-and-pop outlet, has lost a step physically and struggled quite a bit to defend or score well in the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

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