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NBA Power Rankings: Who is LeBron James not mad at?

By Brandon Jefferson

Jan 23, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) smiles during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) smiles during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Hawks 28-20

Last week: 1-1
Last rank: 12th

Aside from playing the game of the year (a quadruple-overtime thriller against the New York Knicks) there really isn’t much going on with the Atlanta Hawks. Their recent winning ways — they are currently three games back of the Boston Celtics for the second seed in the East — has made it less and less likely that they will actually move Paul Millsap by the trade deadline. Millsap has been his solidly efficient self every step of the way this season. They would be throwing their hand in and going with a full on rebuild if they choose to move on from Millsap.

The question is what could they possibly get in return and what would they actually want in return for the four-time All-Star. Especially while they still have a player like Dwight Howard on the roster. The last thing that Howard wants to be part of is a rebuild regardless of it it means still playing for his hometown team. Also, would you really want to build a team around Dennis Schroeder and Kent Bazemore for the foreseeable future? I know I wouldn’t. A situation like this one is why it’s always hard for a coach to serve in a front office role simultaneously. As a coach, your job is to try and win every night. Having Millsap helps that tremendously. As an executive, your job is to keep a winning team assembled as long as possible. Losing Millsap as a free agent would be a huge loss for the Hawks. Decisions, decisions.

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