5 NBA free agents who could use a change of scenery

2. Paul Millsap

Paul Millsap shot the 3-ball at a career-best rate last season. He was likely the most prominent voice within the Denver Nuggets locker room. But the role he assumed upon arriving in the Mile High three years ago completely differs from the one he took on this past season.

The former four-time All-Star averaged the fewest regular and postseason minutes since his third season in the league. He ranked seventh on the Nuggets in fourth-quarter minutes throughout their unexpected run to the conference finals.

The 14-year-vet could still provide value to a Nuggets team with no other player more than eight years into their career. However, Millsap still has something left in the tank as he showed during Denver’s playoff run, most notably the 17 points he produced to help stave off a Game 5 elimination against the LA Clippers in the conference semis.

In a full-time bench role with fewer minutes to help preserve his 35-year-old body, Millsap could boost a number of second units with his savvy defense and reliable 3-point shooting.

Of course, that role could potentially come with Denver. But with Michael Porter Jr. and the likely return of Jerami Grant, the Nuggets are set at the power forward position, which means that dip in playing time doesn’t figure to increase in the coming years.