Would The Lakers Take Millsap From Hawks?
The trade rumor mill involving Paul Millsap has been spinning continuously. Could the Lakers be a possible trade partner?
It may seem like the Golden State Warriors have gained ultimate supremacy over the rest of the league for the foreseeable future, but the Los Angeles Lakers won’t be terrible for too much longer. When they are bad, it’s never a long, drawn out process to maneuver their way back to contending for championship banners again. The Lakers don’t get stuck in a middling, mediocre existence. As soon as Kobe Bryant’s retirement from his first ballot hall-of-fame career with the franchise concluded, along with his contract, Mitch Kupchak already started burning up the phone lines.
He has stockpiled a boatload of young, high upside, mostly lottery talent that he can use however he pleases. Most recently he was poised to deal some of it to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Russell Westbrook; who they likely would want to deal instead of losing him for nothing. Well today Sam Presti, the Thunder general manager, ended the Lakers impending pursuit of Westbrook by signing him to a 3 year $86 million extension.
If you are fatigued from articles speculating on an Atlanta Hawks trade involving Paul Millsap I understand. There are a lot of them out there. I just think that after losing Josh Smith (who had value back then), and Al Horford without any compensation, it makes sense to weigh every available option. Based on that, I am on board with moving him for young assets that could gradually get this team to the promised land.
Kupchak for the most part will have his sights set on the 2017 free agent class that includes cornerstones like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Kyle Lowry to retool for their next run. It would be foolish to ask any of those stars to come join a roster full of rug rats. This past lottery pick, No. 2 selection Brandon Ingram is barely 19 years old. LeBron didn’t want to play with Andrew Wiggins, a no. 1 overall pick when he returned to Cleveland and it’s unlikely that his stance for that type of scenario has changed. Lebron’s preference in regards to teaming up with other established, star level player’s is one that those other elite players I mentioned before definitely share. You want teammates that are already on your level. You are in the midst of a full sprint, nobody in their right mind would ask you to join somebody still learning to crawl.
Aside from Dwight Howard, the Hawks have already started somewhat of a youth movement of their own. Dennis Schroder is learning what it takes to be a starting point guard, the intriguing wings taken in the first round of this summer’s draft will be fun to watch and players like Malcolm Delaney and Tim Hardaway Jr still really haven’t tapped into their potential yet. Not to mention the fact that Kent Bazemore is only 27. There are several interesting talents that the Lakers are willing to part with that would fit that mold perfectly.
So to make his pitch to any high profile suitors that tickle his fancy more attractive, Kupchak needs at least one checker to drop before he can connect a row. Paul Millsap would in my opinion be a good start. He is of the golden checker variety, not platinum, but he is the type of all-star talent that could be used to sway the elite talent to the table. Similar to you know, what Danny Ainge tried to do with Al Horford to score Kevin Durant. It isn’t ideal for him that Millsap will hit free agency after the season for sure. Los Angeles is a seductres though and it can easily support a lavish entertaining lifestyle that not too many players have ever willingly walked away from.
For the Hawks, they are actually in a delicate situation with Paul. He flirted with joining the Orlando Magic the last time he was a free agent only to eventually resign with Atlanta. He has been the up most consummate professional during his time with the club, well liked by teammates and a stellar player in terms of production. The Hawks could’ve handled their attempt to resign Al Horford better than they did. It didn’t seem appropriate to sign Dwight Howard, then seriously engage in trade discussions with other teams involving Millsap just to make room for Horford.
It’s possible that wasn’t the Hawks main motivation to consider trading him but the evidence suggests otherwise. To move in such a manner sent a message to Millsap, publicly mind you, that they would’ve really, abundantly preferred Horford was the starting power forward instead of him. Of course Millsap is too mild mannered and professional to rock the boat concerning his feelings about their actions, but that had to hurt. I would’ve taken that personally. Hopefully he didn’t and remains a Hawk well past this season. I would not bet on that happening though.
Considering that the relationship could be scarred beyond repair, on top of the fact that he could walk in free agency, it would seem necessary to trade him before the deadline in February. The Lakers will genuinely offer any one of Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell, Larry Nance Jr. and perhaps even Brandon Ingram in a potential Millsap deal between now and then. I would love it if we could be talking about Atlanta signing a LeBron James, but then I would’ve had to made the title of the article wishful thinking. To gain those type of young players coach Budenholzer could develop them into the type of star players that we all crave for.
Next: Howard Continues To Improve His Weakest Aspect
My two favorites are Randle and Ingram. Hey Bud, Kupchak is on line one. Why don’t you go ahead and get that?