5 offseason needs for the Denver Nuggets

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on January 05, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 23: Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets plays the Orlando Magic at the Pepsi Center on November 23, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) 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. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

4. Pay or pass on Paul Millsap

When the Nuggets signed the Denver native to a three-year, $90 million contract, they felt like they had added the veteran player they needed to get them back to the playoffs. Millsap suffered a wrist injury his first season in Denver that limited him throughout the entire season, and they finished one game short of the postseason. His second season in the Mile High City was a success, with the team developing into one of the best fourth-quarter defensive teams in the league, and finishing with the second-best record in the Western Conference.

Millsap will celebrate his 35th birthday next February, and while he’s still a productive player, the Nuggets shouldn’t be paying him $30 million next season. They have a team option for the 2019-20 season, and while they would be crazy to not bring him back, they can’t do that at that price. The first offseason priority needs to be declining that team option, and in the same meeting, getting him to agree to a new 2+1 contract that can still get him the compensation he’s earned with the team.

While the team has playoff experience now, they still need Millsap’s quiet and steady leadership on the team. His ability to defend one on one, communicate as the leader of the defense, and score in isolation can’t be replaced in the offseason with another player.

If the Nuggets aren’t able to reach an agreement on a new contract with Millsap, and the free agents don’t express interest in coming to Denver, they can always bite the bullet and pay him next year. Make no bones about it, that would be a loss for Denver and a disappointing result to the offseason.

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