Paul Millsap proved his value as an All-Star and one of the Atlanta Hawks best players all season. He was one of the key cogs that helped them finish with the best record in the Eastern Conference in the regular season and earn a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals as he averaged 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Whether he returns or not, he has certainly earned a big pay day. Here is a look at the best potential landing spots for Millsap as an unrestricted free agent this season.
Atlanta Hawks
Millsap called his Hawks teammates “family” after their playoff exit and said he would like to be back, so there is no doubt about where he wants to be. Atlanta was the most consistent team in the Eastern Conference from start to finish this year and if they can bring back their core players and add one or two final pieces, they could be poised for another run. However, the challenge is that money talks and the Hawks aren’t as rich as some of the league’s other franchises. They might not have the cash that Millsap deserves. Atlanta is the ideal spot for Millsap’s value but in reality, he’s likely to chase the money elsewhere.
San Antonio Spurs
Atlanta is still the No. 1 option according to Millsap but the Spurs have made it clear they are looking to add some support down low for Tim Duncan. If Millsap was willing to sign with San Antonio, he would immediately have the opportunity to start for an NBA title contender – one with a more legit chance of winning it all than the Hawks. The Spurs ran out of gas at the end of this season but they have a solid veteran core in place and a head coach that knows how to maximize their potential in Gregg Popovich. San Antonio will be an excellent fit as a potential suitor for Millsap as a UFA this offseason.
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Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have looked like a very good team on the cusp of getting to the next level in each of the past two years and Millsap could be the missing piece that helps them get there. Toronto will have to bring back Lou Williams as their sixth man but if they can find a way to plug in Millsap to a starting five that already features Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas, they will be poised to contend with the Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers for the best record in the East.
New York Knicks
New York has a ton of cap space and the truth is that while they bottomed out this past season, it could be exactly what they needed to become a legitimate contender once again. The Knicks will welcome back Carmelo Anthony and they have the fourth-overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. One or two more key free agents could be enough to convince Millsap that New York is ready to win now and a potential starting five that features Millsap, Anthony, D’Angelo Russell and maybe Jimmy Butler could be ready to contend for a playoff run next season. There is no guarantee they get all of those players but with so much cap space and a top-five pick, the potential is there for the Knicks to make serious moves.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics will have some serious money to spend this offseason and considering they somehow made the playoffs under Brad Stevens this past year, they could be closer to contending than some think. Isaiah Thomas thrived in Boston while Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller and Kelly Olynyk all developed in to key players.
The Celtics also have the 16th overall pick and are reportedly trying to find a way to move up so if they can land a top 10 pick. They also want to take a run at Millsap and add another key free agent. If they can do that, combined with the growth of their young roster, they are going to be a very intriguing team next season.
