Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2017: 20 best players available

By John Buhler

Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
14 of 20
Next
Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks
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 /
7

Paul Millsap

Power Forward, Atlanta Hawks

Now we’re getting to some of the big guys here. Paul Millsap has been a four-time All-Star for the Atlanta Hawks. Under head coach Mike Budenholzer, Millsap has expanded his game into that of one of the best all-around frontcourt players in the NBA. Though he is on the wrong side of 30, his game should allow him to play at a high level for the next three years or so.

Millsap has loved playing in Atlanta, but probably realizes that this will be his last big contract as an NBA professional. He wisely opted out of the last year of his Hawks deal to enter the free agency market for the third time in five years. It’s worked out for him the last two times. Will he leave Atlanta?

This really all depends on how new Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk values Millsap. Schlenk had been with the Golden State Warriors before taking this Hawks job a few weeks ago. Millsap has been a Budenholzer and to some extent a Danny Ferry and Wes Wilcox guy. He will be getting a near max on the open market without question. The question is if there is a better landing spot for him than in Atlanta?

Millsap has averaged 17.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in four years with the Hawks. He may not win a championship in his prime in Atlanta, but two to three more great years out of Millsap almost certainly gets his No. 4 jersey retired by the Hawks. Atlanta should be favored to bring Millsap back, but his free agency has to be one of the most exciting to watch unfold.

Home/NBA Free Agency