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Summary
Millsap took a step back this season, as Michael Porter, Jr. took his spot in the starting lineup. His numbers were down across the board from both a volume and efficiency perspective. After shooting 44% from three in '19-'20, Millsap only shot 35% this past season, but overall is still at least a threat from outside. He has enough craft to make a couple dribbles and score inside as well.

On defense, Millsap is still solid even if he's no longer the well above-average defender that he used to be. He may not be able to protect the rim, which somewhat limits his ability to operate as a small-ball center, but I think he could still play that role against certain lineups. He's not quite as quick laterally as he was when he was younger, but he has good defensive instincts. He has good hands and has been near the top of the league in steal rate for his entire career.

At 36, Millsap probably will only be looking at short-term offers, and I would guess that he ends up settling for a one-year deal. 
 
Cap Considerations
Millsap will be an unrestricted free agent with a $19 million cap hold and full Bird rights. Since the Nuggets will almost certainly be operating over the salary cap, they will retain Millsap's Bird rights, and have no restrictions on re-signing him. However, the luxury tax will certainly be a concern, as spending heavily on retaining their free agents could cost the Nuggets a lot of money in luxury tax penalties. Therefore, other teams will have a legitimate shot at signing Millsap away from Denver.

Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Millsap as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer, Taxpayer, or Room Mid-Level Exceptions to sign him.

Potential Teams: Nuggets, Heat, Jazz, Pelicans, Raptors

Predicted Contract: 1-year, $5 million with the Nuggets

Actual Contract: 1-year, $2.6 million ($1.7 million cap hit) with the Nets

Millsap took his time in free agency, and eventually signed a one-year minimum contract with Brooklyn, giving him a great shot to win his first championship.

Last updated: 9/4/2021

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