Denver Nuggets post-FA depth chart: Power forward
Starter: Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon was brought in to be the power forward of the future for this Denver Nuggets team and nothing has changed there. In fact, the structure of Barton and Green’s contracts make it more likely that AG is re-signed in the next offseason when he’s a free agent.
He struggled in the Phoenix Suns series, trying to make up for the scoring punch Jamal Murray brought, but his role at full strength is much smaller. When sharing the court with Murray, Barton, Jokic, and MPJ, Gordon is the fifth option and doesn’t need to do much with the ball.
Backup: JaMychal Green
JaMychal Green played excellent in the playoffs as both the backup center and power forward. He’s a traditional ground-bound PF but he can occasionally stretch it out behind the arc.
In 2020-21, Green averaged 8.1 points a night while shooting 46.3 percent from the floor and 40 percent from 3-point range. Also, he gives Malone competence off the bench with the big positions, something plenty of teams could do with.
Third string: Paul Millsap/his replacement
Paul Millsap will be 37 years old by the time the 2022 playoffs roll around. While he has done an extraordinary job at staying relevant well past his prime, he’ll likely be eclipsed by the younger AG and JaMychal.
He’s currently still a free agent but with little financial flexibility, his replacement will only be getting the veteran’s minimum and likely won’t factor into the rotation.