Atlanta Hawks: A Blueprint on letting Paul Millsap walk during Free Agency
By Nile Goodwyn
The Atlanta Hawks’ 4-time All-Star power forward Paul Millsap is set to become a free agent. If he leaves the Hawks, what should come next?
Paul Millsap’s time with the Hawks has coincided with some of the team’s most successful teams ever. During the 2014-15 60-win season, Millsap was named to his second All-STar Team, and showcased the skills that made him arguably the most underrated layer in the league.
Last time Millsap was faced with a free agency decision, the Magic reportedly offered him a 4 year, 80 million dollar offer that would have run through the 2019 season. The Hawks offered a three-year, 58.9 million dollar deal to stay in Atlanta, with a player option for the 2018 season. Millsap has now declined the player option, in favor of becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Millsap is in a situation in which he could fetch $30+ million annually from the team of his choice. In the instance that the Hawks and new GM Travis Schlenk do not offer Millsap such a seismic deal, the Hawks would have to rebuild the power forward position quickly. The Eastern Conference is wide open, outside of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and contending for a top-four seed is an unquestionable desire for the Hawks. How should the team go about re-crafting the team without Millsap?