While they want to keep power forward Paul Millsap, the Atlanta Hawks said they cannot offer the four-time All-Star a maximum contract when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in the summer. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, new general manager Travis Schlenk said that the Hawks will make the best offer that they can give to Millsap but it will not be a maximum contract. Schlenk said Millsap may receive better offers from other teams interested in a reliable power forward.
“We’d like to have him. The reality is, he might get better offers than we can make him,” said Schlenk, who has met with Millsap’s representatives twice since he was hired.
Millsap can get a maximum five-year contract worth $205 million from the Hawks. If he moves to another team, the highest he could get is a four-year deal worth $152 million.
Millsap has one year remaining on the three-year, $60.2 million deal that he signed with the Hawks in 2015, with an annual average salary of $20.07 million. He opted out of the deal, leaving a guaranteed $21.47 million salary for next season. It was a big gamble on his part, considering his age and history of knee injuries.
Hawks don’t want to offer long-term deal to 32-year-old Millsap
The Hawks seemingly don’t want to gamble a long-term deal for an aging player like Millsap. The only way for the 32-year-old Millsap to remain with the Hawks is to accept a long-term deal that will pay him a lower salary but will allow him to earn more through incentives.
Another question is if other teams are willing to sign an aging player to a long-term, maximum deal.
Millsap spent his first seven NBA seasons with the Utah Jazz before he signed a two-year deal with the Hawks, where he earned the reputation as one of the league’s dependable power forwards. Since joining the Hawks in 2013, he was selected to the All-Star Team four seasons in a row.
Last season, he averaged 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.0 block per game.
Potential destinations for Millsap
According to John Buhler of FanSided, several teams may express interest in Millsap when he hits the free agent market, including the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Millsap may also opt to return to the Jazz or remain with the Hawks.
The Clippers might pursue Millsap if Blake Griffin signs with another team in free agency. Buhler said Millsap could be a good fit for the Clippers, as he can stretch the floor with his three-point shooting and complement center DeAndre Jordan on the defensive end.
