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Paul Millsap Trade Rumors: 10 NBA Teams That Should Trade For Him

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) shoots from the foul line during the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Atlanta Hawks won 104-72. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) shoots from the foul line during the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Atlanta Hawks won 104-72. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Paul Millsap trade rumors
Apr 7, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) shoots over Toronto Raptors center Lucas Nogueira (92) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Raptors 95-87. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are Cleveland’s biggest threat in the East, but since they’re still a tier below the Cavaliers, they need to make a game-changing move more than anyone in the East.

Trading for Paul Millsap doesn’t make them favorites over Cleveland, but it sure as hell would provide LeBron James with his greatest Eastern foe since the Indiana Pacers.

The Raptors don’t quite have the same plethora of assets available to trade like the Celtics, but there are a number of packages they could put together.

The best deal for Toronto — which allows them to keep Jonas Valanciunas and Norman Powell — would be centered around Patrick Patterson, Terrence Ross and rookie Jakob Poeltl. A lot of people like Poeltl, and T-Ross has done well off the bench, but that’s a pretty favorable package for Toronto.

More than likely, a deal like that would also require Toronto’s 2017 first-rounder and their other 2017 first-rounder from the Los Angeles Clippers. That’s a lot to give up for a 31-year-old, but that’s the price you pay to become a legitimate threat to Cleveland in the East.

If that’s still not enough for the Hawks, the Raptors may opt for something like Valanciunas and Ross. JV is having a down year, but he’s a proven starter on a solid contract and could replace Dwight Howard down the road. Toronto may need to include one or both 2017 first rounders in this scenario.

If the Hawks asked for Valanciunas AND Norm Powell, that might be too much for We The North to stomach, since Powell has legitimate two-way potential and JV is their starting center.

Next: 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Week 11

There are other players who could facilitate a deal, like Jared Sullinger, Bruno Caboclo or even Cory Joseph if need be, but the Raptors could — and should — pursue any and every avenue in the coming weeks to pry Millsap from Atlanta. If they can do so without surrendering Valanciunas or Powell, more power to them…as a legitimate threat to the Cavs in the East.

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