3 Denver Nuggets players who won’t be back next season

1. Paul Millsap

Once one of the most underrated players in the NBA, Millsap is now 36 years old and a shell of that player. He re-signed with the Nuggets last offseason, perhaps due to lack of other options, and he averaged 9.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game over 56 regular-season games this year (36 starts). After the acquisition of Aaron Gordon from Orlando, Millsap’s role was diminished. JaMychal Green also showed himself to be worthy of a bigger role.

Millsap knows he’s not getting the same deal he got last offseason this summer (one year, $10 million), from the Nuggets or anyone else. He’ll surely prioritize title contenders over everything, which Denver is in a certain light (with Murray’s health or a notable trade?). But teams like the Lakers, Clippers and Nets could surface as suitors, and they appear closer to winning a title. So Millsap’s departure may be as much his seeing the lay of the land as the Nuggets being willing to move on.

The Nuggets seem to have their power forward depth situated with Gordon and Green, assuming Green picks up his player option for next season. Millsap will surely embrace a bit role as a veteran mentor, wherever he lands. But Denver goes 3-for-3 on this list of players who won’t be back, with focus shifted to younger options to replace them–either internally or to be found via the draft, free agency or the trade market.