After being sidelined for 10 games by a left knee sprain, Nuggets big man Paul Millsap came off the bench in his first game back, but was reinserted into the starting lineup on Saturday when Monte Morris and Gary Harris were unavailable.
According to Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, Millsap approached him after that Saturday loss and reiterated that he’d be happy to continue coming off the bench or to accept another role to avoid impending the chemistry the new starting group had established (Twitter link via Mike Singer of The Denver Post). Millsap has started both of Denver’s games since then – both wins – but could return to the bench once Morris and Harris return.
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- The Nuggets will begin allowing fans into Ball Arena as of April 2, the team announced today in a press release. The plan is to limit capacity to 4,050 fans, approximately 22% of the building’s overall capacity.
- The Thunder used a portion of their $19.5MM traded player exception created in the Danilo Gallinari sign-and-trade to absorb Meyers Leonard‘s $9.4MM contract, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks. As a result, Oklahoma City created another TPE worth Trevor Ariza‘s salary ($12.8MM), which will be available until the week before next year’s trade deadline.
- Within his latest mailbag, Jason Quick of The Athletic says the Trail Blazers are gaining hope that Zach Collins (ankle surgery) can return by the postseason. Quick also believes LaMarcus Aldridge would be a great fit (and a great reunion story) for Portland if he’s available on the buyout market.
- Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic breaks down the Timberwolves‘ trade tiers, writing that Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards are the untouchables, while Malik Beasley and Jaden McDaniels would only be in play for a star-caliber player.
No one is giving up a star player with Jaden McDaniels as the headline.
I think he means that the Wolves would not include Mcdaniels in a package if it wasn’t for a star player. He wouldn’t be the headline, but just part of the package.
I guess I have to read Jon’s article to determine if John Collins is considered a star-caliber player for Minnesota. My hunch is that’s a “yes” for Rosas.
only guy on Minnesota’s roster that would get them John Collins is Anthony Edwards
Minnesota won’t even pick up the phone if Atlanta offers Collins for Edwards.
The wolves would check the calendar to see if it was April 1st
Damn, the dude from The Office has to cover the trash T-Wolves now?
The Office’s “Jim” has a good smile for the Wolves beat job— thinned out but still hanging in there!
The Wolves have good individual talent and I find them enjoyable but they do not win like they should.
Edwards was looking awesome again tonight. He makes “a chucker” look like what you want at the 2.
The Nuggets are the real threat to the Lakers this season, the return of Barton and Porter Jr’s increased role will make the Nuggets even better.
Like to Aldridge back in Portland. Would help make them dangerous in playoffs. Unless Celtics go for him with their TE. I see him reaching a buyout. Then it will be interesting to see who he chooses. Heat, Celtics, Blazers, Nuggets should all be going for him.
Nuggets follower here: I like Aldridge yet unless he’s playing some limited minutes behind Jokic, or more if Jokic were to get hurt, there really isn’t a place for another defensively compromised big for the Nuggets. He could easily replace Nnaji’s minutes and could play more than J’mychal Green.
What the Nuggets really need is a wing who can defend while not being a liability on the offensive end.
I hope Aldridge goes back to Portland or ends up in Boston. Just don’t want him in LA (either team) or in Utah.
Raptors should really deal one of Powell or Lowry for their own benefit, or at least Terrance Davis, and Nurse would appreciate a stay-in-front guy like Harris.
Fun fact Lowry is days away from 35. But he is still well above average. IDK what the situations for Barton and Anunoby are besides maybe overpaid, but they could be involved.
TWolves should just wait out the draft. They end up with their pick. Things will get good in a hurry. They will have options for a trade or just go and build with the pick. I highly recommend them to sign Noel. Him next to KAT makes them .500 team right away.
I’ve been wanting Noel on the wolves since he came into the league.
All about chemistry and mix n match. One is all D other is all O. Ying n Yang
Aldridge to Portland is a little late since Nurkic is back next week. Aldridge isn’t signing a minimum to be a 3rd wheel behind Kanter. His PF days in the NBA are mostly over and worse a 4th wheel behind Covington, Anthony and Jones Jr.
Reunion? He scorned Portland, there is no lost love with the fans in PDX. (We teach our kids this here too) He should go try and win a ring if he can, or go back to his hometown Dallas. They could use him as a Zinger sub.