Hawks big man Paul Millsap will have the opportunity to opt out of his contract and explore the free agent market this summer, and according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Millsap is expected to take advantage of that opportunity.
Schefter reports that Millsap is expected to turn down his player option for 2017/18, which echoes what we heard earlier this year from Schefter’s fellow ESPN.com scribe, Chris Haynes (Twitter link). In the wake of Haynes’ initial report, Hawks sources insisted that the four-time All-Star had yet to make a decision on his option, but barring a major injury between now and the offseason, it would be a shock to see him opt in. According to Schefter, while Millsap “loves” Atlanta and would like to remain with the team, he will consider all his options.
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Millsap is currently being nagged by knee soreness, but has had another strong year in Atlanta so far. In 65 games, Millsap has played a career-high 34.3 minutes per contest, contributing 18.1 PPG and 7.7 RPG for the Hawks, despite a career-low .443 FG%.
Although Millsap isn’t necessarily a lock to receive long-term, maximum-salary contract offers at age 32, he should do well in free agency. His 2017/18 player option is worth about $21.472MM, but he’ll easily top that figure on a multiyear deal as a free agent.
For their part, the Hawks put Millsap on the trade block earlier in the season, but later decided to pull him off the block and keep him. Just before the trade deadline, GM Wes Wilcox said that locking up the former second-round pick would be Atlanta’s top priority this offseason.
Millsap needs to go join a team that’s a piece a way from being a contender and not a pretender like ATL. Maybe go join the Celtics or Spurs. Spurs could play with LA at the 5 and PM at the 4
LA signed with the agreement he wouldn’t play the 5.
I didn’t realize that
Yeah Boston would be a nice fit, I could see him fitting really well into their system.
We’ve already seen how that frontcourt combo works in Atlanta. Wouldn’t make sense for Boston to mortgage their future on a 32 year old pf who shoots at a poor clip and is a below average rebounder
IT-AB-JC-PM-AH that’s scary
No it’s not
I think he ends up in Toronto. Im curious if Lowry still opts out based on injury. I guess w the money out there he will. But he’s going to be 30. Not sure it makes sense to Max out a late bloomer off injury.
I think the raptors are going to stay with ibaka because of his defensive ability
And they would have traded for him if they didn’t plan on resigning him
Lowry or Milsap? Both control their own fate, both have a player option.
What about the twolves, they could be real contenders with him at the 4. Rubio Lavine Wiggins milsap and towns sounds like a real contender.
A contender for what? The 8 seed?
The Rockets could make a lot of sense too, he is one of the best stretch 4’s in the NBA and I know they already have Ryan Anderson but I bet they could tweak the lineup and have Anderson come off the bench. Millsap would help on both sides of the ball.
He’s too slow for HOU.
I really like him for POR but they have cap problems. I don’t think SAS will splash out for him.
Maybe the Clippers if Blake leaves?
What about Boston?
Wat about miami he can play there…