Paul Millsap still uncertain in pursuing free agency in 2017
NBA News – Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap said Tuesday he is unsure whether he will opt out of his contract next summer and become an unrestricted free agent.
It’s been widely expected that Millsap would choose free agency next summer, when he’d likely be in line for his final big NBA contract. The 31-year-old is due $21.47 million in 2017-18—a far cry from his maximum potential contract.
As a player with 10 or more years of NBA experience, Millsap is eligible for a deal worth up to 35 percent of the league’s salary cap. The NBA sent a memo to teams over the summer with a projected $102 million cap for next season. Millsap’s potential raise could be upward of $10 million per season.
Barring injury or a surprising downturn in performance, Millsap will opt out and become a free agent. It’s precisely why he took Atlanta’s three-year deal with the early opt out in 2015 when the Orlando Magic had offered four years and $80 million. Millsap was willing to bet he’d continue playing at an All-Star level and be able to reach free agency at the cap’s apex.
Oft-underrated early in his career, Millsap has joined his rightful place among the NBA’s best power forwards. He averaged 17.1 points, 9.0 and 1.7 blocks per game last season, earning his third straight All-Star appearance. His defense was also honored for the first time, with Millsap being named a second-team All-Defensive player.
Al Horford’s departure likely means even more responsibility for Millsap this season. Dwight Howard signed as a Horford replacement, but Millsap will have to pick up more of the floor-spacing slack and take on most quicker big men.
With his 32nd birthday coming up in February, there’s no reason to believe he’d want to prolong cashing in. The likelihood of him landing a four-year deal is already a little shaky, and it would have no chance of happening if he waited until his age-33 summer.
Millsap opting out is preordained. Everyone knows it. There’s just nothing to gain from him declaring his free agency now, as the Hawks try to adjust to a starkly different roster.
Category: Basketball
