The Warriors have just one roster spot remaining for next season, and a free agent big man could be in their sights. Paul Millsap is drawing interest from both Golden State and Brooklyn Nets, The Denver Post's Mike Singer reported Friday citing league sources.
Millsap started 36 of 56 games for the Denver Nuggets in 2020-21, averaging 9.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 34.3 percent from behind the 3-point line.
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At 36 years old, the best of Millsap's career is behind him. However, a veteran forward who can stretch the floor always is going to pique the interest of a contending team, like the Warriors and Nets are expected to be.
The Warriors did add Nemanja Bjelica on a veteran's minimum contract in free agency, along with forwards Otto Porter Jr. and Andre Iguodala. After his strong performance in Summer League for the Warriors, Gary Payton II seems like he could be a nice fit for that final roster spot.
General manager Bob Myers recently indicated that he was unsure whether the Warriors would end up filling that spot with the taxpayer midlevel exception, or simply go into the season with 14 players and potentially pick someone up once the buyout market ramps up midseason.
"I don't think we use it. I think we tried, we put it out there for some players we thought were difference-makers. But it's not wise, and I would almost protect Joe from himself if he said go spend it on anyone. It does cost us about $25 million to spend the $5 million, which again I laugh, I know listeners or fans don't care about that part, but we have to," Myers said on "Damon, Ratto and Kolsky."
Golden State Warriors
"We have to be smart about it, we've got it in a buyout, I do think every year there's players that are bought out, if you need to spend a little more money in that market, we have it for that. But at this point Damon, I don't foresee us using it as it looks right now."
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Bringing in another ballhandling guard to the bench feels like a more pressing need for the roster than another perimeter-oriented forward given the presence of Bjelica, but Millsap is a talented scorer who could be an effective contributor in limited spots.
Millsap likely isn't worth the full $5.9 million taxpayer midlevel exception plus the exorbitant tax penalty that would come with utilizing it, so this move doesn't seem to have a high probability.