Paul Millsap signs with Nuggets: 5 biggest questions we have

Paul Millsap signed a three-year deal worth $90 million with the Denver Nuggets. What are the fve biggest question we have in regards to the Millsap agreement?

If you thought the Denver Nuggets were just going to roll over in the Western Conference, well, you played yourself. Denver has joined the arms race in the West. Denver has made a push towards relevance in the Western Conference signing Paul Millsap to a huge contract.

Nikola Jokic gives Denver one premier star, but signing Millsap creates one of the best frontcourts in the NBA. With a young core of Gary Harris and Jamal Murray, Denver has a shot to make the postseason for the first time since the 2012-2013 season.

With Chris Paul headed to Houston, Paul George moving to Oklahoma City, and Jimmy Butler jettisoned to Minnesota, the West is as tough as it ever has been. I haven’t even mentioned the reigning champion Golden State Warriors who brought the entire band back from a year ago. As Denver looks to build towards contention, what are the five biggest questions that are now facing the Nuggets?

5. Figure out restricted free agent market of Mason Plumlee

Mason Plumlee was acquired at the deadline via a trade involving Jusuf Nurkic. The early signs of the deal indicate Denver as serious losers as Nurkic has flourished in his time with Portland. After leaving Denver, Nurkic upped his scoring average from 6.6 to 11.8. Not only that, but Denver also gave away a first-round pick in the deal along with Nurkic! The trade looks ugly thus far for Denver as Nurkic, 23, has the look of a future star.

Keeping Nurkic, who still has another year on his rookie deal, would have made more sense instead of diving into this absurd free agent market. Teams flushed with cap space such as Phoenix, Sacramento, and Brooklyn could push an offer sheet that is unmatchable. We already saw one such occasion where the Kings offered Otto Porter the max ($106 million for four years). Denver has to hope they can lock up Plumlee for a deal around $8 million annually, but even that might be a pipe dream.

Plumlee, 27, averaged 6.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Now Denver can eclipse the salary cap to re-sign Plumlee, but at what cost? With only approximately $8 million remaining in salary cap space, Denver already has to move contracts to bring back the rest of their impending free agents (one in particular that we will get to later). Plumlee, from a scheme standpoint, is a pretty good fit off the bench giving a rebounding boost next to Nikola Jokic. Jokic also isn’t a premier defender yet which Plumlee provides valuable rim protection.