Last week it appeared like the Atlanta Hawks were entering a fire sale, ready to trade nearly all of their top players. It started with trading shooting guard Kyle Korver to the Cavs and included rumors about Paul Millsap and Tim Hardaway, Jr.
But while it seemed like a given that Millsap especially would be traded, it no longer appears like that’s the case. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Hawks have begun informing other teams that the power forward is no longer on the trading block:
Atlanta general manager Wes Wilcox started informing teams Monday afternoon that the Hawks were no longer working to unload Millsap, sources said. Millsap can be a free agent this summer, and multiple teams – including Denver, Sacramento and the Los Angeles Lakers – had an interest in making a deal for him, sources said.
Call me skeptical but I think this is a strategic move by the Hawks. For one, it seems odd to trade Korver for a low first round pick and two old veterans if the Hawks are still banking on competing this year.
Secondly, the Hawks were very near trading Paul Millsap this summer in order to re-sign Al Horford next to Dwight Howard. Routinely shopping the power forward without actually moving him isn’t the greatest look in front of him or the rest of the NBA.
This seems more like the Hawks are not pleased with the negotiations and want a bigger haul. Whether that works or not is a different question. Millsap is nearing 32 years of age and is a free agent. He will command big money this summer:
One major thing teams in on Millsap must consider: He's expecting to get upwards of $140 million ($35m/yr) as a free agent this summer
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 6, 2017
The Hawks have just over one month to decide on this situation. Personally, I still believe Millsap will be in a different jersey by the end of the year.
