NBA Rumors: Orlando offers Paul Millsap 4-year, $80-million contract

Nov 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) works against the defense of Indiana Pacers forward Luis Scola (4) during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) works against the defense of Indiana Pacers forward Luis Scola (4) during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic have reportedly offered Paul Millsap a hefty free-agent deal.


Next: Top 25 NBA Free Agents for 2016

In a healthy show of gamesmanship, the Orlando Magic have reportedly offered a boatload of cash to Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap. According to ESPN’s Chris Broussard, the Magic met with Millsap in the early-morning hours of free agency and offered him a deal worth $80 million over four years.

Broussard also reports that Orlando’s numbers were enough to put a halt to Millsap’s offseason courting. He was originally slated to have dialogue with Dallas, Indiana and New York, but now will decide between Orlando and Atlanta.

This power play by the Magic is very similar to what Dallas pulled last season with Chandler Parsons and the Rockets. Essentially, rooting out a free agent from a division rival and offering a fat contract that is on the cusp of (but not quite) overpaying, thus forcing the other team’s hand (in this case the Hawks). Either they overpay in both years and money, crippling themselves with the salary cap, or they lose a key member from a playoff team. It’s a tough choice for Atlanta, and a win either way for Orlando.

Millsap was a bargain signing for Atlanta two years ago, when they locked him in for two seasons at $19 million. It was reported that the Hawks had offered him a longer-term deal, but he declined in favor of testing the market this summer for one final major contract. What a smart gamble that now appears to have been.

The forward is coming off a season where he averaged 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.8 steals, and helped guide the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals. Still a stat-stuffer at age 30, Millsap’s numbers did decline a little in Year 2 with Atlanta – points, rebounds and blocks per game all saw slight dips. Whether that is due to age or coach Mike Budenholzer’s system, is a question whoever signs Millsap must confront.

Aside from Millsap, Hawks forward Demarre Carroll is also on the free agent market. Thanks to Orlando, Atlanta’s back is now even more firmly against the wall in deciding how to juggle its frontcourt free agents.

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