Fansided

Biggest impacts of NBA stars changing teams this offseason

By Joe Romano

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against Isaiah Thomas #4 and Jae Crowder #99 of the Boston Celtics during the game on January 3, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against Isaiah Thomas #4 and Jae Crowder #99 of the Boston Celtics during the game on January 3, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New team — Denver Nuggets

Old team — Atlanta Hawks

How did he get here? Signed as a free agent for three-years and $90 million

What is he entering? Millsap is the Nuggets biggest free agent signing perhaps ever, if not since Kenyon Martin. The former All-Star will play with rising star Nikola Jokic as the best passing front court in the NBA. Jokic, entering his third season, finished runner-up to Giannis Antetokounmpo in the league’s Most Improved Player Award.

Millsap is a versatile player, consistently ranked as one of the most underrated in the game. Millsap was Atlanta’s best player last year and will run with Jokic similarly to how he paired with former teammate Al Horford. The 6-foot-8 forward is one of the best power forward defenders in the league. He’s flashed a 3-point game, post arsenal and ability to find others as a playmaker on the offensive end.

The Nuggets were already an elite offense without Millsap and his presence will be felt the most on the defensive end, where the team finished towards the bottom of the league.

The Nuggets will look to build off their pace at the second half of the season when they turned the keys over to Jokic. Talented young wing Gary Harris will look to take another step after a promising sophomore season. Jamal Murray, the team’s first round pick from a year ago will look to cement a more permanent place in the rotation while sixth man Will Barton will build off an impressive 2016 season. The issue for the Nuggets will be point guard. Mike Malone benched Emmanuel Mudiay halfway through the season for veteran Jameer Nelson. Nelson and Murray will get the bulk of the load at point guard which leaves the team vulnerable on the defensive end.

The Nuggets may have some in-season moves to pull off as well. Kenneth Faried has been on the trade block for seemingly two years and that was before there was an All-Star power forward ahead of him. Wilson Chandler, when he is healthy, is a perfect compliment to a contender if the Nuggets get the right offer.

This team is a mix of young up and coming prospects and complementary role players. Millsap is a hybrid of the ultimate role player and complimentary star. With Jokic and Harris’ expected improvement and bringing Millsap onboard the Nuggets should be fighting for a playoff seed in the tough Western Conference.

What is he leaving behind? Millsap leaves Atlanta after a successful four years. The team made the playoffs all four years Millsap was on board, including a 60-win season in 2014.

The Hawks traded Dwight Howard, and let Millsap go, signaling a rebuild. The team has talented young players Dennis Schroder and Taurean Prince to build around. Their highest-paid player, Kent Bazemore is a quality role player who fits the 3-and-D mold.

The Hawks, like the Bulls and Pacers previously mentioned will take 2017 as a year for young player growth. Rookie big man John Collins was selected with the No. 19 pick. He has flashed potential of a solid contributor and looked impressive during summer league.

The Hawks will likely end the franchise’s ten-year playoff run. The talented 2018 lottery has teams excited for the future, a lottery in which Atlanta could grab a high pick.

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