5 teams that should trade for Paul Millsap

 If the Atlanta Hawks are prepared to put forward Paul Millsap on the trade block, here are five teams that should make a deal for him.

With an 18-16 record, which is good for fifth in the Eastern Conference right now, the Atlanta Hawks don’t stand out as sellers in the weeks leading into the NBA trade deadline. But Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein of ESPN have reported the Hawks are listening to trade offers, with forward Paul Millsap among the three players specifically mentioned.

Millsap is making a shade over $20 million this season, with a player option for next season. There are conflicting reports about Millsap exercising the option, and the Hawks are apparently concerned about losing Millsap for nothing in the same fashion they lost Al Horford last offseason.

Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Monday morning that Millsap is not on the trade block. But that doesn’t mean a lot, since the Hawks could be doing simple due diligence to see what might be out there.

Depending on how the next month-plus goes for the Hawks, Millsap may be among the biggest names rumored to be on the move. If he is made available, here are five teams that should trade for Millsap.

5. Indiana Pacers

The head coaching change from Frank Vogel to Nate McMillan has not got quite as planned for the Pacers. They are clinging to eighth place in the Eastern Conference, with a 17-18 record, and star Paul George recently expressed frustration with how things are going.

It may take a little more time for new additions Jeff Teague, Thaddeus Young and Al Jefferson to coalesce with George, and adding another new face to the mix may not help that. But it’s rare someone like Millsap is available, even as a short-term answer, so the Pacers should be among the teams ready to make an offer for him.