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NBA Free Agency 2017: Blake Griffin and the 10 biggest player option decisions

By John Buhler

Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts to a foul call in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Clippers won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts to a foul call in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Clippers won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) reacts against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) reacts against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Paul Millsap

Power Forward, Atlanta Hawks

It’s been a great four years in Atlanta for power forward Paul Millsap. When he originally left the Utah Jazz for the Atlanta Hawks in 2013 NBA free agency, Millsap was an undersized power forward that could rebound and had a nice mid-range game. What Atlanta ended up getting was one of the best power forwards in basketball the last four seasons.

Millsap signed a three-year contract with Atlanta in summer 2015 worth $60 million. He has a player option for 2017-18 worth $21,472,407. However, Atlanta very much expects Millsap to opt out of his deal. That’s not to say that he won’t re-up with the Hawks on another multi-year contract, but it is advantageous for Millsap to play the field this summer.

The last time Millsap tested free agency in summer 2015, he decided to re-sign with Atlanta over the Orlando Magic. While Atlanta didn’t get back to the Eastern Conference Finals the last two years, it was an infinitely better move than to sign with the dysfunctional Magic.

Millsap has said publicly that he will opt out of the final year of his three-year contract with the Hawks. Should he restructure a new deal with Atlanta, that would indicate that he loves playing head coach Mike Budenholzer’s system, appreciates having center Dwight Howard to help on the glass and thinks that players like point guard Dennis Schroder and small forward Taurean Prince will continue to improve in their starting roles.

If Millsap leaves in free agency, expect Atlanta to pursue a marquee player in free agency this summer. Millsap’s evolution as a player and Howard’s underrated first-season with the Hawks could help Atlanta’s chances to land somebody else good should they leave. Otherwise, it might be time for Atlanta to rebuild, though owner Tony Ressler might not be on board with that idea.

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