With the continued rise of the NBA’s salary cap, becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer carries a heavy financial incentive for Paul Millsap. Plenty of team will bid for his services, so let’s examine some viable options for Millsap this summer.
After signing a contract below market value with the Atlanta Hawks three years ago, Paul Millsap intends to cash in as the NBA salary cap is expected to once again significantly jump by foregoing the final year of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The latest projections for the 2017-18 NBA salary cap is at $101 million, an increase of nearly $7 million from the 2016-17 campaign.
By becoming a free agent this summer, Millsap is bypassing a salary of $21.4 million for next season in pursuit of a long-term deal.
If Atlanta were to re-sign the 32-year-old to a maximum contract, he could command a five-year, $205 million deal. The other 29 teams in the league have the ability to offer Millsap a four-year contract worth up to $152 million, a mark just below Mike Conley‘s record-setting contract signed a year ago in Memphis.
Millsap is likely to draw a maximum level contract from someone after posting averages of 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
Two summers ago, Millsap was a free agent and after contemplating a four-year, $80 million offer from Orlando, he decided to return to the Hawks on a three-year, $59 million deal.
This summer, 18 teams have the ability to create over $25 million in cap space, but not all are realistic destinations, as Golden State will likely pursue re-signing Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
Let’s take a look at some viable options for Millsap to consider when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.