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NBA Free Agency: Options for Paul Millsap after Atlanta Hawks’ comments

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 24, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) signs autographs before a game against the Washington Wizards in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) signs autographs before a game against the Washington Wizards in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 24, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) signs autographs before a game against the Washington Wizards in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) signs autographs before a game against the Washington Wizards in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

It doesn’t appear as though the Atlanta Hawks are going to offer Paul Millsap a max contract. Which other teams might Millsap consider signing with?

At 32 years of age, Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap is one of the most polarizing pending free agents in the NBA. He’s become one of the Association’s premier power forwards, but his age has some hesitant to pay him max contract money.

Unfortunately for Millsap, one of the organizations showing signs of uncertainty is the organization he’s considering re-signing with.

Millsap has become one of the more appreciated players amongst statisticians and advanced metrics savants. He’s a well-rounded offensive player who contributes in every phase of the game, as well as a versatile defender.

Unfortunately, recently hired general manager Travis Schlenk essentially told Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the Hawks will not offer Millsap a max contract.

"“We are going to make Paul our best offer,” Schlenk said. “Will he have better offers? I don’t know. Do we want to keep Paul? Sure. I said last week, if you are building a team with all the things I’ve said, Paul checks all those boxes. He’s a hard-worker. He’s a good guy. He’s high-character. Skilled. He does all that stuff.”"

That sounds like a ringing endorsement, but here’s what matters most:

"“We’d like to have him. The reality is, he might get better offers than we can make him.”"

Millsap should respect the honesty, but it doesn’t sound like Schlenk and the Hawks are going to offer him the max contract he could receive elsewhere.

Millsap has become a four-time All-Star and a 2016 All-Defensive Second Team honoree. In 2016-17, he averaged 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.9 blocks, and 1.1 3-point field goals made in 34.0 minutes per game.

Millsap ranked No. 4 amongst power forwards and No. 14 overall in Real Plus-Minus, as well as No. 14 overall and No. 4 amongst power forwards inDefensive RPM.

The question is: Which teams would best fit Paul Millsap as potential free agency destinations?

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