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Atlanta Hawks: Why They Shouldn’t Trade Paul Millsap

By Tyler Sellers

Dec 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) dribbles the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Trail Blazers 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) dribbles the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Trail Blazers 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks have been struggling, but that doesn’t mean they should trade their best player.

Who remembers the final year of Josh Smith‘s, and most recently Al Horford‘s, deal a month or two prior to the trade deadline? It can be an interesting topic to breakdown when a player of value can clean out his locker following the conclusion of their contract, and walk away without their team receiving any compensation at all. It’s especially intriguing when the team is doing well, and could potentially make a deep playoff run.

The prospect of trading Josh Smith back in 2013 should have been an attractive option for the Atlanta Hawks to consider. Smith was a polarizing player that, at the time, carried a considerable amount of worth for other teams, had the Hawks front office engaged in trade talks.

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 13: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks slams the ball home against the Orlando Magic during the game on February 13, 2013 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 13: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks slams the ball home against the Orlando Magic during the game on February 13, 2013 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Statistically, J-Smoove was right at the peak of his prime during the 2012-2013 season. He was averaging 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals per game in what wound up being his final season as a Hawk. If you didn’t watch him play during that stretch, but simply looked at the numbers, then Smith was an all-around force and was having an incredible year.

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For an educated fan of the Hawks, however, it was plain as day that the Josh Smith era in Atlanta was all but over despite what his stat line reflected. Just about everybody had become exhausted at the site of Smith launching three pointers in a Hawks uniform. While that was the most frustrating, it also became clear that Smith’s tenure had run its course and the franchise would not make it to the mountaintop with him.

I believe that at or near the deadline, Atlanta should have traded him for the best offer available. Detroit thought enough of him the following off-season to sign him to a 4 year, almost $60 million dollar deal. There is no way to know what Atlanta may have received in return for a Smith trade now, but it’s safe to say that a solid, rotational player, or even a decent starter would have been reasonable.

Al Horford’s situation on the other hand was significantly more complicated. The team was coming off an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals the year before, and was attempting to build off of that success. Head coach Mike Budenholzer had become so smitten with the concept of having Horford as a stretch center/power forward, that his return became somewhat of a foregone conclusion.

Apr 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) works the ball against Boston Celtics forward
Apr 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) works the ball against Boston Celtics forward /

Al would also say all the right things to the media to express what came across as a genuine desire to remain an Atlanta Hawk. As we now know, he would not remain an Atlanta Hawk.

With the Hawks currently struggling the way that they are, I understand that many fans might be reaching for the panic button. However, it wouldn’t be rational to move Paul Millsap before the trade deadline.

He has provided the Hawks with a grand amount of production since signing with the club during the summer of 2013. In a little over 3 seasons with the Hawks, he has averaged 17.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.

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He has been honored to represent Atlanta as an All-Star in each season. This year, he is scoring 17 points per game, gets 8 rebounds per game, and passes for 3.7 assists a night. Those numbers are just as valuable as they are steady.

The deal that he agreed to turned out to be a steal, Millsap was playing at an All-Star level for just two-years and $17 million. He had one foot out the door at the expiration of that contract, negotiating with the Orlando Magic before ultimately returning to Atlanta.

Millsap signed a three-year, $60.2 million dollar deal with a player option for next season.

He will almost certainly decline his option to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

He made his third straight All-Star Game as a reserve last year, and has continued that level of play this season. Paul is easily Atlanta’s best and most dynamic offensive player, as he is leading the team in scoring average once again.

With Dwight Howard under contract for two more seasons, I would like to see how their chemistry improves and if they can grow into one of the league’s top front-courts.

There are only a handful of players in the league that could be swapped straight up for Millsap in a scenario where the Hawks would get equal to or greater value for him. With that in mind, none of those guys would be sacrificed for what would be a half-season rental.

Atlanta can offer Paul an additional year in a new deal utilizing his bird rights once again, as opposed to any other team, who would only be able to offer four years on what’s going to be a max level offer. After playing at such a high level for several years at a thrift store price, he has earned a maximum level payday.

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He has the skills that will enable him to maintain his status as one of the games top power forwards for the life of his next contract. There is also something to be said for the element of continuity, as its common knowledge that Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Mike Budenholzer isn’t going anywhere.

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