Another veteran remains on the free-agency wall and is awaiting a signing by a growing or contending roster. Paul Millsap, now 36, is the perfect fit for the Brooklyn Nets. In a recent report provided by the Denver Post’s Mike Singer, Millsap is drawing interest from both the Nets and Warriors, who both have aspirations of reaching the Finals. For either team, Millsap can provide his veteran leadership to the youthful second units.
Millsap is a do-it-all combo forward that once had the honors of playing in All-Stars competitions. He was named an All-Star in all four seasons with the Atlanta Hawks after a few successful runs with the Jazz. Once he suited up for Denver in 2017, he helped the young core reach the playoffs after four riddled years.
Since then, Millsap has had productive seasons even with his decreasing playing time. In his four years with the Nuggets, Millsap racked up 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. In the past season of his tenure in Denver, he averaged 9.0 points, his lowest mark since his rookie year with the Jazz. He also added 4.7 rebounds in 20.8 minutes of action to the 2020-21 campaign.
In that sense, Millsap is likely to take a pay cut considering he is past his prime years, but a contribution to the Nets is significant. Millsap adds a veteran presence to a developing frontcourt cast. Brooklyn has solid young big men talent in Alize Johnson and Nicholas Claxton and are looking to consolidate their depth by adding as many veteran free-agents as possible to stack up well against the Lakers. Adding Millsap to a minimum contract is a steal and prominent replacement for Jeff Green. Millsap provides a calm, quality veteran presence and defensive asset. Millsap also stocks up Brooklyn’s rebounding and list of players with vast playoff experience. The Nets trio of superstars won’t come across any trouble with Millsap’s spacing, occupying virtually every spot on the court. Brooklyn has enough developmental pieces and are sure of adding 3-and-D veterans to the floor.
There’s no doubt, Millsap is willing to take a smaller role to get another chance for the championship. Up to this point, the offensive-oriented Nets added veterans, Patty Mills and James Johnson. All in all, Millsap seems like he could be a nice fit for Brooklyn’s final roster spot.
