DECEMBER 3: The Nuggets have officially re-signed Millsap, the team announced today in a press release. All of Denver’s reported offseason moves have now been finalized.
NOVEMBER 21: The Nuggets lost Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee on the first day of free agency, but they’re bringing back their other key frontcourt free agent. Denver has agreed to re-sign Paul Millsap to a one-year contract worth $10MM+, agent DeAngelo Simmons tells Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter).
Millsap, 35, played fewer minutes per game (24.3) in 2019/20 than he had in any season since 2007/08, but he remained highly effective in those minutes. He averaged 11.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 1.6 APG with a solid shooting line of .482/.435/.816 in 51 games (48 starts).
Since arriving in Denver in 2017, Millsap has helped stabilize the team’s defense alongside Nikola Jokic in the frontcourt. With Plumlee and Grant departing in free agency, Millsap will share time up front in 2020/21 with the newly-added JaMychal Green, with youngsters like Michael Porter and Bol Bol expected to take on larger roles too.
Millsap received interest from “over half of the league” as a free agent, according to Charania (via Twitter). Earlier today, the Celtics were cited as a strong contender for the big man. However, Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (Twitter link) hears that personal reasons played a major part in Millsap’s decision — he didn’t want to uproot his family from Denver.
Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said back in September that he’d “love to see” Millsap spend the rest of his career in Denver. While this contract won’t guarantee that, it’s a good first step.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
This was a must for Denver after losing out on Grant. Good move
Agree . Bit much but it’s the right move
Denver got worst. Begging an older Milsap to come back. Losing Grant and Plumlee and supposedly turning their nose up at a Griffin s/t.
Plumlee is not a loss.
I was just about say this lol. Nuggets had no idea that Detroit would overpay for plumlee. Anyway you can sign noel for the minimum and get the same production.
Maybe this is the season they increase Bol Bol’s minutes. It’s also another year for MPJ to take a leap. They drafted Nnaji so another big in their system, and RJ Hampton could be nice insurance if Gary Harris doesn’t work out
I forgot about bol. It would definitely be a good year to have him under Millsaps wing. Also a good look to see if he can stay healthy.
We don’t know that Denver said “no” to a s/t for Griffin. If they did, maybe it’s because Detroit wanted way too much in return to make a deal.
This Danny Ainge offseason describes how 2020 is for the rest of us.
Nuggets get 10% worse
Green is a shooter
Green’s a better defender than Grant in all the metrics. Just bigger and can’t check guards.
Clippers get 20% worse
Rockets get 5% worse
shoot, the wolves needed one of millsap,grant, or wood.
Guess they will
Give Bol more playing time which he deserves. It will be interesting seeing him playing regularly .
Mistake. He’s good but not worth more then 6-7 million for his minutes
The MLE defined by the “league average” is roughly 9-10 million a year. Millsap playing 20-25 minutes at his rate above a 15 PER suggests he’s actually being underpaid making 10 million if he can produce 12 and 6 in 25.. with D and some 3s. Hard to grasp the average contract and player roughly PER 15 makes 10 mil now.
Bol Bol is definitely gonna get some run this year anywhere from the 3 spot to the 4(his position) and at C. MPJ has height but plays like a SF/SG lacking inside strength to play the 4 though he will. Millsap Jokic starting at the 4 n 5 is perfect as they’ll slide MPJ to stretch 4 and play a lot with Murray/Harris/Barton at 1-3. People forget about Barton an above average 2 way player that was their second best offensive initiator… 3rd after Jokic n Murray. Denver also loved running with Morris/Murray/Harris 3 guard lineups. Bol can play C but a 2/3 string C is needed.
Not a good signing for either the Nuggets or Millsap, particularly after signing Green and drafting the PF from Arizona. Too many resources used toward the PF spot without addressing their need for bigger 2 way perimeter players. This was true last year as well, but MPJ wasn’t in the rotation and Grant could match up with 3’s on the defensive end.
Millsap is overpaid yet that was a smart move. I agree though Denver needs bigger skilled players on the perimeter for defense.
To me, Millsap is an ideal back up center for the Nuggets…if he’ll accept the role. Backing up Jokic for 18 minutes a game, Millsap should be very good against other teams second unit. Millsap could also play minutes with the starters, playing about 20 to 25 minutes a game in total. I think the Nuggets should be fine without the players they lost. Grant has value yes, but the Nuggets future depends on if MPjr or Bol Bol can emerge as a third star, and whether Harris can knock down 37% of his threes. The Nuggets have enough youth and athleticism to be a solid defensive team. I think the key is developing a better defensive game plan; and I expect they will do that. I’m confident MPjr can be become a plus defender. And Bol Bol has tremendous length if they can figure out lineups where he’ll be useful defensively. If Harris 3 point shot returns, the top 9 guys on the Nuggets can all shoot the 3 well.
Millsap is still a solid player, a “professional” who can calm the nerves of young players and still produce in his older years. This is a must for every young team, an experienced vet that helps reign in the young stallions and shows them how to be professional basketball players.
Paul’s skills may have diminished some with age but he can still play and you can see the respect his teammates have for him. Gotta’ keep him fresh this year for him to be effective, so I’m sure MPJ will see a lot more minutes. Paul has always been a starter, so his transition to the bench role throughout the season will be key, unless of course he outplays the young’uns and starts again!
The fact he spurned interest from “half the league” because he wanted to stay in Denver might have some unexpected benefits to the Nuggets ability to lure some talent to this city as well… at least with the more family oriented players.
Bottom line, I’m glad to see Millsap back in the fold, I know he’s as hungry for a ring as these youngsters are. Maybe this season they get it!
damn. really wish the Heat could have landed Milsap, although Harkless was also on my list