Paul Millsap Still Expected To Opt Out Of Contract

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.

[RELATED: Five key 2017/18 player option decisions to watch]

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.

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