The Denver Nuggets got a needed boost to their frontline after agreeing with veteran forward Paul Millsap to a three-year contract worth $90 million. According to Matt Moore of CBS Sports, the third year of Millsap’s contract is a team option. The 32-year-old Millsap opted out of his deal with the Atlanta Hawks to test the free agent market and his decision paid dividends. If he stayed with the Hawks, he would earn just $21.5 million next season.
With Millsap’s arrival, the Nuggets now have one of the most formidable frontcourts in the league as he will be paired with Nikola Jokic, who showed promise last season by averaging 16.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 73 games.
An 11-year NBA veteran, Millsap is also expected to provide the leadership that the young Nuggets need. He was a four-time All-Star with the Hawks and made it to the 2015-16 All-Defensive second team.
Nuggets get versatile forward in Millsap
A 47th overall pick by Utah in 2006, he played seven seasons for the Jazz before signing a two-year deal with the Hawks. He later signed a three-year deal worth $60.2 million in 2015. Last season, Millsap averaged a career-high 18.1 points on top of 7.7 rebounds and 3.7 dimes in 69 games.
Aside from his defense, Millsap also creates a mismatch with his ability to bury shots from beyond the arc. Last season, he made 75 of his 241 attempts from three-point range for a 31-percent clip.
In his career, Millsap made 333 of 1,014 tries from beyond the arc for a 32.8 percent clip.
Millsap was a key acquisition for the Nuggets, who are expected to lose power forward Danilo Gallinari to free agency. It was reported that the Clippers are working on a three-team trade to acquire the sweet-shooting forward from the Nuggets.
Last season, the 28-year-old Gallinari averaged 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
Denver to pursue point guard George Hill
If the Nuggets could dump the contract of Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur, they could pursue veteran point guard George Hill in free agency. With Emmanuel Mudiay ineffective as a court general, the Nuggets want a veteran playmaker like Hill to lead the way next season.
The Jazz recently acquired Ricky Rubio from the Minnesota Timberwolves, meaning that they don’t intend to sign Hill, who has turned free agent Saturday. The San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks are also eyeing the services of the 31-year-old Hill, who averaged a career-best 16.2 points last season.
