By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
The Denver Nuggets have a young core. But, according to reports, the team is expected to bring back one of its veterans.
The team is expected to exercise Paul Millsap’s option in his contract. He has a $30.5 million salary for next season.
The Nuggets cannot officially exercise his option until the new league year on July 6th when teams can officially make roster moves.
There were some speculation that he might want in free agency had they let him go. But instead, they are bringing him back to continue to mentor their young core.
With Millsap’s extension picked up, the Nuggets are going to be limited in spending in free agency. The team also have the $9.2 million mid-level exception to spend on a pending free agent.
According to the Denver Post, the Nuggets even considered a longer deal, but with a lower annual contract. However, with this deal, as the option will be picked up in days, it gives Denver flexibility next summer when they can begin to look up Jamal Murray, Malik Beasley, along with Juancho Hernangomez, who are all expected to receive contract extensions from the team.
Millsap is the oldest player on the Nuggets roster at 34. Outside of Millsap, the team also had experience from Isaiah Thomas — who may leave the team as a free agent — and Will Barton. Both Mason Plumlee and Gary Harris also have experience over five years on the roster.
This past season, Millsap appeared in 70 games, including 65 starts. He averaged 12.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 27.1 minutes per game.
The 12.6 points per game average was his fewest in a decade, as he averaged 11.6 points per game with the Utah Jazz in 2009-10.
“I could see myself being here long-term, for the rest of my career,” Millsap said in March. “I can see this organization and this group of guys making a nice play at the championship.”
