Before the season, Paul Millsap said he was undecided on opting out.
We’re one step closer to completely dismissing that shaky pretense.
Adam Schefter of ESPN:
Hawks F Paul Millsap expected to void contract after season, become free agent, per sources. Loves ATL, would like to stay, but will look.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 23, 2017
There’s no question Millsap can earn more than his $21,472,407 option-year salary. He might even earn the max, which projects to be north of $36 million. The 32-year-old will also have a chance to lock into a long-term contract.
Opting out is an easy call.
The only question is whether anyone will offer a max starting salary and max years.
That’s a risky proposition for a player his age, but for a team ready to win now, the short-term gains might outweigh the long-term risk. (And it’s not really a “risk.” Millsap is extremely likely to be overpaid by the end of a full max deal.) Millsap is an elite defender with an efficient offensive game.
How much would the Hawks pay? They called re-signing Millsap their priority, but they’ve also sent mixed messages about their desire to win now (signing Dwight Howard, keeping Millsap past the trade deadline) vs. rebuilding (trading Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver).
And it’s not unilaterally up to Atlanta. Millsap will be an unrestricted free agent, and if he plans to explore the market, you never know what he’ll find.
