Paul Millsap hears the trade rumors surrounding his name and told Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter link) that he wants to remain with the franchise. “Everybody knows where my heart is and where I want to be,” Millsap said referring to Atlanta.
The Hawks will reportedly entertain trade offers for Millsap between now and the deadline, but the team doesn’t feel it necessarily has to make a move, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reports. The team isn’t going to simply take what it can get for Millsap with a source telling Kyler that Atlanta would want real value in exchange for the big man. The source added that the team would want players who can help the it win games this season rather than prospects and future draft picks.
The 31-year-old is set to make slightly more than $21.47MM next season, but he may opt out of his current deal once the season ends in search of a new contract. If he becomes a free agent, he’ll be eligible for 35% of the salary cap, which is currently projected to be $103MM in the 2017/18 season.
Eligible for 35% of 103m?!?! 35 million a year for milsap! He is good but I wouldn’t do it. But what do I know I’m just some dude who has watched the Hawks play a few times this year.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him go to a team like raptors that could use him to challenge the cavs. I’m not sure who they would trade for him. Ross, Patterson and a 1st? Would that be enough probably not but Patterson is underrated because he can space floor and Ross is former no 8 pick who might surprise in a starting role. I’d throw in demarre carroll too I think he isn’t worth the contract he got, just like bazemore.
Pay this man!! Its not often that Atlanta has players that want to stay in Atlanta. Milsap has been an MVP for this Hawks team since he arrived here. He wants to stay and the Hawks should pay him. He is extremely versatile as a 4. He can shoot, play off the dribble, create his own shot, post-up, and act as the junkyard dog down low. His defense is very underrated. He and Howard down-low are a force on the defensive-end. I would hate to see a guy with this talent and character leave a city that has trouble keeping their players. Pay him!