NBA Free Agency: One move every team needs to make

Atlanta Hawks: Choose the franchise’s direction

This offseason could really go in two directions for the Hawks. They can either do all they can to keep Al Horford and proceed without Jeff Teague and two talented rookies in Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry at the wing. Or, if they accept that they can’t win with this team and the insurmountable Cavs (and LeBron) are still in their way in the East, they could look to rebuild, perhaps trading Paul Millsap while his value is so high after a brilliant year.

It may sound radical to trade their best player in Millsap, especially after his third straight All-Star season in which he earned All-Defensive Second Team honors and led the Hawks in points (17.1), rebounds (nine), steals (1.8) and blocks (1.7). He put together a highly impressive and highly overlooked two-way performance, yet trading him for multiple assets to rebuild the team for future gain could be worth it.

The Celtics, who missed out on a blockbuster trade at the 2016 NBA Draft after all those rumors, could be one potential suitor. Whether Millsap could bring in any kind of combination of young players they have to offer, or any package from another franchise, the interest will certainly be there from teams around the league to cash in with Millsap.

He has a player option for 2017-18 which is somewhat of an issue if he leaves after one year, but at 31, he’s proven how much he can still do in today’s league that’s based on versatility.

If the Hawks instead decide to keep hurling themselves at the best in the East, they cannot afford to lose Horford in free agency. Offering him a max and doing all they can to sell him on the team, despite the addition of rookies rather than veterans for the time being, is vital. Even more so after they didn’t trade him for new assets back in February.

Now, with ESPN’s Zach Lowe providing an update on the matter, the risk of losing Horford appears to be increasing:

"The Hawks are reluctant to offer Horford the fifth year only they can dangle, and if they hold firm, they are at grave risk of losing him for nothing, per league sources."

Without knowing the Hawks’ intentions, it’s hard to make the best call for their franchise. Once more rumors emerge, we may have an indication of what’s next and who could fit their plan. The current fate of the franchise is up in the air, and trading Millsap or keeping the core together will decide the future between rebuild or eventual playoff failure to LeBron.

Next: Miami Heat