Paul Millsap went down with an injury and did not return after being diagnosed with quad tightness, according to TNT (via Mike Gallagher of NBC Sports). Jerami Grant took over his vacant spot and thrived, putting up 20 points, five rebounds, and two steals while canning 5-of-6 from distance in the Denver Nuggets' 111-99 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Millsap had only six points, five rebounds, and a block in 16 minutes of action. The 34-year-old veteran has seen quite the dip in usage rate since coming to Denver two seasons ago, but he's still producing effectively, despite being the fourth and sometimes fifth offensive option on the court.

Averages of 12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and a career-best 45.5% from deep have warded off Grant, who the Nuggets traded for in the summer. Millsap is due a beefy $30 million for this season, and while the organization loves having him around for his professionalism and team-first attitude, his contract could be packaged in favor of another player before the deadline.

Kevin Love has been linked to Denver, Phoenix, and Portland in the past week, and a Millsap-for-Love trade fits the bill perfectly, as the two make nearly the same this season. The problem remains the draft compensation the Cleveland Cavaliers would expect to get and how Denver feels about hauling in $120 million worth of salary for a player at the same position.

Millsap isn't expected to be out for long with his tightness injury, but should he need to be held out of future games, Grant is a trusty bet to take his place.