The Denver Nuggets ended last season with one of the most well-rounded rosters in the league. In the offseason, it was clear that their goal was to retain the cohesion and closeness they had built. Nuggets president Tim Connelly stressed the importance of the team resigning veteran Paul Millsap and keeping the roster intact.

“(The resigning was) huge. Without Paul, we would be in a world of hurt. He brings leadership both on and off the court. If you look at our defensive numbers when Paul is playing compared to when he's not playing, it's pretty significant. We brought him here to teach our young guys how to win and he's done that.”

The 13-year veteran played a huge part in leading Denver to the second seed in the Western Conference last season. In 70 games, Millsap averaged 12.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. He also provided some veteran leadership to a Nuggets team that is still fairly young and inexperienced.

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Without Millsap, the Nuggets would have had to search for a replacement forward. Right now, veteran three-and-D wings are in high demand, and Millsap is one of the better ones. Connely is right in saying that the team wouldn't be the same without him.

Now that they have retained Millsap's services, the Nuggets are ready to take another step and attempt to improve off last years finish, both in the regular and postseason.