Paul Millsap expressed his desire to stay with the Atlanta Hawks, although he wasn’t happy with the way head coach Mike Budenholzer disciplined his teammates last season. David Aldridge of NBA.com disclosed there’s indeed mutual interest Millsap and the Hawks to work out a new deal this summer.
Millsap staying in Atlanta
Millsap, who averaged 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, will negotiate directly with Hawks owner Tony Ressler, regardless of who will be named the next general manager of the team.
The Hawks announced last week that Budenholzer stepped down from his position as president of basketball operations while Wes Wilcox is no longer the GM of the team.
According to a source close to the situation, Wilcox was a major proponent of trading Millsap in exchange for draft picks and young players at the trade deadline, but Budenholzer turned down the potential deal.
Aldridge added the Hawks management is determined to retain the service of the 32-year old Millsap, despite the fact that he could command a contract that pays him at least $28MM to $30MM per year. The Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and even the Boston Celtics are viewed as a potential outside suitors for Millsap.
Update on Hardaway Jr.
Coming off a breakout season where he averaged 14.5 points on 45 percent shooting from the field, Tim Hardaway Jr. stressed that he wants to stay with the Hawks next season. The New York Knicks traded Hardaway to Atlanta in exchange for a no.19 overall pick in 2015 Draft.
After a rough start with his new team, the former Michigan standout found a niche as a playmaker following the trade that sent Kyle Korver to the Cleveland Cavaliers midway into the season. Hardaway credited his improvement to the Hawks’ training staff, who helped him stay in shape and reduce his body fat to 6 percent.
“I love it here, Hardaway said in an interview with KL Chouinard of NBA.com. “Atlanta brought me here, and it felt like I was starting as a rookie all over again when I was here.
It made me appreciate the game of basketball a whole lot more than I did when I first came into the league. That’s what I’m thankful for.”
Sefolosha’s disappearance
One of the biggest mysteries for the Hawks last season was the disappearance of perimeter defender Thabo Sefolosha in the regular rotation. Aldridge reported that some members of the teams were surprised to see Sefolosha getting inconsistent playing time from Budenholzer. Sefolosha, who earned $4 million last season, will be an unrestricted free-agent this summer, and multiple teams are expected to field offers for the proven 3-and-D player.