The news that Hawks forward Paul Millsap will foresake the last $21.4MM on his current contract and become a free agent this summer was expected. Considering the lack of quality big men around the league and the recent jump in the salary cap, Millsap should do well in the open market and get several more years of guaranteed money.
Like former teammate and current Celtics big man Al Horford, Millsap will not turn a franchise around but he could help a playoff team get deeper into the postseason. Millsap, 32, posted career highs in scoring (18.1 PPG) and assists (3.7 APG) this season. He shot a career-low 44.2%, largely due to an increase in 3-point attempts.
The Hawks’ front office is in a state of flux, which could influence Millsap’s decision whether to re-sign with Atlanta or join forces with another playoff team. According to The Vertical’s Shams Charania, the Hawks regard Millsap as their top offseason priority.
The team that lands Millsap will not only get a versatile scorer and solid rebounder, they’ll also get an unselfish player who can guard multiple positions.
Which teams might make a run at Millsap? The Celtics might consider reuniting Millsap and Horford, considering the they don’t have an impact player alongside Horford and small forward Jae Crowder. The Raptors could be in the mix, depending upon what their own free agents decide to do. Same goes for the Clippers, with their top two players Chris Paul and Blake Griffin hitting the market at the same time.
The Spurs have become a haven for veteran free agent big men the last couple of seasons, so they could be a darkhouse in the Millsap sweepstakes. It would stand to reason that the Jazz could try to find another quality big man to insert between Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert, provided that Hayward doesn’t sign elsewhere.
There will also be plenty of other fringe playoff teams with cap space (Bulls, Heat, Nuggets, Pacers) that could make a run at Millsap.
That leads us to our question of the day: What team do you think would be the best fit for Paul Millsap?
Please take the comments section and share your thoughts. We look forward to your opinion on this topic.
He would fit really well in Boston. we need a PF, better defense, better rebounding, and he fills all 3 holes quite well.
New York. He can play 4 with KP at the 5.
I like it
why would he sign in NYC…the knicks will b3 in the lottery the for atleast the next 5 years…why would Milsap want to end his career on a losing team.
I’m not convinced that the market for Millsap will be max-level robust. At 32, he’s too good to play for a bad team, too old to peak with an up and coming team, and probably not good enough to push a pseudo contender to the level of the Cavs and Warriors. Whoever signs him is going to have to push all-in. To me, that leaves two teams: the Hawks and the Raptors. And in a weird way, I think it makes the most sense if he and Lowry end up on the same team either way.
What if Boston signs him and then trades Fultz, Smart, Olynyk, and some picks for Butler? Thomas-Butler-Crowder-Millsap-Horford with Bradley and Brown off the bench plus some vet FA’s for the minimum would be scary.
So the Altanta Hawks, basically? To me, the Celtics should be Hayward or bust. Remember, it’s not just about this year, you have to consider what Millsap would do to your cap in three or four years.
And trading Fultz (or whomever) is a terrible idea, period. Boston has a luxury that few teams have, they have multiple ways of improving their team, and they don’t necessarily have to stay in a five year window. If they sign Millsap and trade Fultz for Butler… that team is done in three years.
True. If Millsap goes for a 3 year max I could see them doing it though. Plus that would set him to expire the same time as Horford and they could just chase some new FA’s that offseason. Thomas-Bradley-Crowder with Smart and Brown off the bench is far better than what the Hawks were last year IMO. Not to mention the Hawks bigs shredded Boston. Nothing wrong with taking the Hawks bigs. They are both good players. The difference is Boston has a far better surrounding core not to mention if they add Millsap and Fultz they can probably add a couple more guys who would be willing to play on the bench for cheap.
Boston shouldn’t want 2 max big men
To me it seems more and more like Boston is going to keep Fultz and go after Hayward. If Hayward stays with the Jazz then I could see themm snag Millsap. Either way they will be much improved next year and title contending for sure the next season when they turn the next nets pick into a cornerstone 5 so Horford can play more 4. Thy would then have 3 starting caliber bigs (Millsap, Horford, Nets Pick)or 3 starting caliber wings (Crowder, Hayward, Brown) to go with Thomas, Bradley, and Fultz.Either way that is a elite team and that’s not even including Rozier, Zizic, Smart, Yabusele, Nader or anyone else they might still have. I don’t see George or Butler as of now leaving unless its PG13 to the Lakers
He would do well in Boston but they shouldn’t trade their no.1 draft choice.
Rockets might want to try to add Milsap. Would be perfect fit becaus of D’Antoni system and with his leadership to help Harden to get his steam off.
Phoenix. His kid brother signed here. Figure it out!
Murray, top guard in rookies, won, MVP at all rookies game; Harris, top 5 two way guard in league; Jokic, best passing center in league and a franchise player… need Millsap, where Millsap grew up: Denver. Trade Faried, Gallo and Mudiay, or just give Millsap $30 mil three years. Then go after Butler and you have a conf contender.
Half of the teams listed in this post don’t have the cap space to pay Millsap. Raptors and Clippers definitely can’t pay him the 30 he’ll be looking