Atlanta Hawks Player Appraisal: Paul Millsap
The Atlanta Hawks have several players set to hit free agency this summer. None are more valuable than Paul Millsap.
The Atlanta Hawks have reaped the benefits of one of basketball’s most underrated players for the past four seasons.
Paul Millsap has been an All-Star in each of his four seasons in Atlanta and has emerged as one of the best power forwards in the league. Under Mike Budenholzer, he has shown off his wide array of skills in all facets of the game. He can score inside, shoot from the outside, rebound, pass, and defend very well. His game is one without holes and his performance this season showed that once again.
Millsap led the Hawks in scoring, averaging a career-best 18.1 points per game. He was the best, most consistent offensive player on the team. He averaged 7.7 rebounds per game and 3.7 assists per game, another career-best.
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He also played great basketball in the playoffs. After a lackluster first game, Millsap responded emphatically over the remainder of the series. The All-Star averaged 24.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in the series against Washington. He was very efficient as well, shooting 50.5 percent from the field in a fantastic showing.
But this was not Millsap’s best season with the Hawks. He shot just 44.2 percent from the floor, the lowest of his career. His three-point percentage fell to 31.1 percent, a figure that has dropped every season Millsap has been in Atlanta. Millsap’s steals and blocks per game both dropped and his defensive rating rose from 96 to 104 from last season. He also battled some injuries this season, appearing in just 69 games. And the Hawks had their fair share of struggles without him, notably during their seven-game losing streak late in the season.
Millsap is still a fine, All-Star caliber player. But at age 32, he might be showing some slight signs of decline. Which leaves in question whether, or not, the Hawks should offer Millsap the five-year max contract, which would be worth over $200 million.
Being a four-time All-Star symbolizes that Millsap is a great player. But is he a transcendent type of guy? No he is not. But the reality is that the Hawks are probably not going to net a player better than him anytime soon. While the direction of the franchise is uncertain after recent front office changes, the Hawks have been reluctant to rebuild entirely. And letting Millsap walk would likely result in a rebuild.
It will not be cheap but it seems certain that the Hawks will, at least, try to retain Millsap. But there will also be other teams in on him as well. He is the perfect type of player that can help a good team become a great one and there will be teams willing to pay the price it takes to bring him in, if it means a chance at competing for a title.
Next: Atlanta Hawks 2016-2017 Season Review: Dwight Howard
Will the Hawks pay Millsap the max? No one knows. But one thing that is certain is that Millsap has earned big money. And this summer, he will get it.