NBA FREE AGENCY STARTING

The Denver Nuggets keep forward Paul Millsap off the market by picking up his $30 million option.

The Nuggets always wanted to keep veteran power forward Paul Millsap. It was just a matter of the financial mechanics.

The Nuggets made that decision Saturday when they opted to pick up the final year of Millsap’s $30 million team option, a league source confirmed to The Denver Post.

The Nuggets considered a longer deal at a lower annual salary, according to a league source, but this move allows Denver to maintain financial flexibility heading into next summer. It also means the Nuggets won’t be paying Millsap an inflated salary for the next few years when Jamal Murray, Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez are due for raises.

Some may gripe at the $30 million price tag, but the reality is that it would’ve been difficult to replace what Millsap offered in terms of defensive acumen and sustained production with Denver’s remaining salary cap space.

If the Nuggets had declined his option and lost him in free agency, they would’ve had to find a starting-caliber power forward with about $19 million. So though Millsap’s production — 12.6 points, 7.2 rebounds last season — isn’t commensurate with next season’s salary, it’s important to consider the alternative.

The Nuggets didn’t want to answer that question.

In March, Millsap told The Denver Post he could see himself in Denver for the rest of his career.

“I could see myself being here long term, for the rest of my career,” Millsap said then. “I can see this organization and this group of guys making a nice play at the championship.”

Millsap, 34, was the Nuggets’ biggest offseason priority. How Denver handled his option had huge ripple effects on their flexibility once free agency opens Sunday at 4 p.m. MT.

With Millsap, the Nuggets have about $120 million in guaranteed salaries and are well over the salary cap. Their most likely path to acquiring an impact free agent will be using the midlevel exception, which is worth $9.2 million.