It’s hard to take seriously the idea that Paul Millsap is being swayed towards the Utah Jazz because it’s an argument about nostalgia in a league about the present. The Jazz haven’t been to the playoffs since Millsap was their power forward in 2012. They reportedly want their old player back which only means they are smart this time around. Earlier in the week, Millsap’s agent acknowledged that Millsap still has fond memories of Utah which is hardly breaking news even as it was reported as such. Millsap isn’t the type to burn bridges.
An agent’s job is to negotiate in public whenever possible. And then to lay out demands in private. The Millsap camp is trying to create leverage for a deal they want, probably around $15-16 million. They are the sellers and they want very lucrative buyers which means they want multiple bidders.
Everyone wants to read the tea leaves so a lot was made of the fact that Millsap’s agent, who is also his uncle, said that Millsap loved Utah
Mar 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Paul Millsap circus has yet to commence but in a manner of weeks rumors of Millsap coming here and going there will litter the free agent landscape. The truth is pretty simple: Millsap, an unrestricted free agent come July 1, will be pursued by a number of teams who have cap room to entice Millsap to leave the Atlanta Hawks.
It’s no mystery what Millsap can provide teams searching for a front court player. His toughness is as legendary as his relentlessness. He is an improved perimeter shooter and his front court skill compliments ball sharing offenses. There is no greater team player than Paul Millsap.
If it happened, Millsap back to Utah, it would be a sentimental story. Millsap was a mostly unheard of college player who was dominant on the boards but lacked explosiveness. He was the 47th pick in the 2006 draft, an intensely physical power forward who didn’t lack for confidence. Returning to the team that selected him in the second round almost a decade ago, and returning with a more versatile game, and returning as an All-Star, and returning as a playoff veteran, won’t lack for dramatics.
But it makes zero sense.
Utah is a very young team that plays in a very competitive Western Conference. The Jazz were 26th in points per game. (The Hawks were 10th) The Jazz were 29th in assists. (The Hawks were 2nd). The Jazz were 19th in field goal percentage. (The Hawks were 4th) The Jazz were 19th in 3-point percentage. (The Hawks were 2nd). The Jazz were a great defensive team but lacked any type of offensive weapon, whether it be a consistent perimeter scorer, a slasher, a driver or a compulsive free throw shooter feared by the opposition. Not to mention, they lack an All-Star caliber player. And a coach who has been in the thick of the NBA Finals. They don’t have a dominant scorer, rebounder or shooter.
Paul Millsap, at 30 years old, isn’t the type of player to carry a team, you don’t build your team around him. He is not a superstar. Millsap is a missing piece, that one last player who will take you over the top because of his multiple intangibles: effort, ethic, patience, willfulness, dedication.
With Millsap in the lineup, the Jazz are not better than the New Orleans Pelicans. Anthony Davis would own Millsap. They are not better than the Houston Rockets- no one on the Jazz can guard Dwight Howard or James Harden. They are not better than the Clippers. They are not better than the Warriors. They are not better than the Grizzlies. They are not better than the Thunder. If LaMarcus Aldridge stays, they are not better than the Trailblazers.
The Jazz were 10-20 against playoff teams this past season, 30%.
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But the Hawks are better than most of the teams in the Eastern Conference. Next season, they will be a top 4 playoff team in a weakened conference, expected to make a return trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Hawks were 18-8 against playoff teams this past season, 69%.
Why would Paul Millsap give that up to suffer death by paper cuts night in and night out? The Western Conference is a war of attrition. Power forwards dominate the conference, displaying explosive talent, mind numbing dunks and size up front: Blake Griffin, Tim Duncan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Zach Randolph, Dirk Nowitzki, Anthony Davis.
In the Western Conference, you can kiss Paul Millsap’s All-Star run goodbye. Not to mention, the Jazz offense is not one that moves the ball. Their point guard, Trey Burke, just finished his second year and averaged 4 assists a game. According to Hoopsstats.com, he was the 37th best point guard in 2014-15. Jeff Teague was the 11th best.
Free agent decisions rarely involve emotional attachments. The deciding factors are money, championship possibilities and team depth. Paul Millsap will be 31 years old by the time next season ends. He has spent 9 years in the NBA and has learned just about everything there is to know. His next step is getting to the championship round in the next couple of years before he begins to slide into the dramatic melancholy of an older player.
Millsap wants to win right now. It may not be with the Hawks; the money might be too prohibitive. But it won’t be with Utah.
The Jazz roster is not ready to win a title right now. They are still building something. They should have kept Millsap when they had a chance. Chalk it up to an organizational mistake they just can’t fix by trying to re-do the past.
Paul Millsap has bigger fish to fry than the Utah Jazz and their five year plan. He wants a NBA title in the next couple of years to cement his NBA experience and it makes all the sense in the world. He’s come farther than anyone expected of a second round pick; he’s paid his dues and isn’t going to confuse nostalgia about the past with his goals for the future and the possibility of a NBA Finals appearance.