Report: Nuggets targeting free-agent power forwards this summer

Armed with potentially $40 million in cap space this summer, the Denver Nuggets will try and upgrade their roster by focusing on the power forward position, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein and Chris Haynes.

Blake Griffin and Paul Millsap, two All-Star forwards who have been linked to Denver in the past, are two names the Nuggets are interested in signing.

Millsap, 32, who is declining his player option and entering unrestricted free agency, was reportedly pursued by the Nuggets at February’s trade deadline after Denver nearly acquired the four-time All-Star last summer. The 6-foot-9 four-man averaged 18.1 points and 7.7 rebounds last season and, although he’s set to hit the open market July 1, was rumored to be a target for the Nuggets via a sign-and-trade with the Hawks.

Griffin, 28, is an unrestricted free agent after opting out of his contract with the Clippers and will have his fair share of potential suitors as well. The high-flying forward only played in 96 games over the past two seasons, suffering through a number of injuries, but is still expected to be in demand this off-season. Denver reportedly called Los Angeles about Griffin last year, but talks bore no fruit.

Griffin averaged 21.6 points and 8.1 rebounds last season.

The Nuggets have the cap space necessary to offer either Millsap or Griffin the maximum contract either could receive on the open market, starting July 1. After coming up empty on two reported deals that would have netted the Nuggets either Jimmy Butler or Eric Bledsoe on draft night, Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly is looking to stay aggressive and make a splash, somehow.