Paul Millsap is undoubtedly one of the top players in the NBA, particularly among the forwards in the league. The Atlanta Hawks have an All-Star on their roster but the big man reportedly isn’t interested in staying beyond this season.
It was reported over the weekend that Paul wanted out of Atlanta following the end of the 2016-17 campaign. Millsap can opt out of his contract and although the Hawks can offer him the most money, it’s been long considered that he would want to play elsewhere. It’s unlikely that the Hawks want a repeat of the Al Horford situation.
Last summer, Al Horford left Atlanta and joined the Boston Celtics despite the Hawks having an ability to also offer him more money. Horford left and Atlanta filled his void with Dwight Howard. But the Hawks still could have had Horford traded before the end of the season and received something of value back going into free agency.
So before the Hawks would yet again lose a big name talent for nothing, they reportedly have been fielding calls for Millsap amid speculation that he was indeed leaving after the season ended. Now Paul is doing his best to shut down those rumors.
Following according to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Millsap on trade talk: “Everybody knows where my heart is and where I want to be.”
Me: And that’s here?
Millsap: “That would be here, yes.”— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) January 3, 2017
