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NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 potential destinations for Paul Millsap

By John Buhler

Mar 10, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Atlanta Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 111-92. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Atlanta Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 111-92. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Hawks

East, Southeast

Since there isn’t any really obvious landing spot for Millsap elsewhere, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if he just re-upped with the Hawks on a three-year deal for more money with a player option in year three. Though Atlanta did try to trade him multiple times last season, a few extra million dollars would certainly smooth things over between Millsap and the Hawks.

If he stays in Atlanta, Millsap will probably continue to be an Eastern Conference All-Star for the rest of the decade. He’d get to stay with Budenholzer as his head coach and help bring along some of the younger guys on the roster. Millsap doesn’t seem to mind playing next to center Dwight Howard. It helps having an emerging starter in Taurean Prince at small forward.

Atlanta may not be a serious contender in the East for the next few years, but the Hawks do have a new general manager in place in former Golden State Warriors assistant general manager Travis Schlenk calling the shots. Schlenk will try to pragmatically build this team into a contender the next few years. It’s hard to let a pro’s pro like Millsap walk out of the building for nothing.

While Millsap will want to presumably one day win an NBA Championship, he can ring chase after he reaches 35 years old. If he plays it right and keeps up his high level of play for the Hawks the next three years, he could have his No. 4 retired by the organization. A seven-time All-Star and the best player of the Budenholzer era has a nice legacy ring to it.

Next: What each NBA coach would be doing if he wasn’t an NBA coach

While he was under-appreciated in Salt Lake City, Atlanta adores Millsap. It’s obvious talented he is and how he makes his teammates better by just being on the court. For a former second-round pick out of Louisiana Tech, Millsap has done a marvelous job becoming one of the better players in the game today. His time in Atlanta has done him well. It’d be a wise play to re-sign and see what happens to the Hawks in the next few years.

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