The case AGAINST keeping Millsap

[Jamaaliver]

Chris Vivlamore, Hawks Beat Writer with the AJC, conducts a wide-ranging interview with Hawks General Manager Wes Wilcox

C-Viv:Like it or not, true or not, there are going to be a ton of trade rumors with Paul Millsap because of his contract situation. From a management standpoint, is there something you can do to prevent it from becoming a distraction?

Wes Wilcox:Paul is a great professional, and it’s absolutely our goal for Paul to be a Hawk long-term. It’s as simple as that.

Here


The Hawks started going after Dwight Howard from the start [of Free Agency]. When things got dicey with Al Horford, they were trying to make room to offer him the max and reportedly were looking at dealing Paul Millsap. There were actual deals with structure in place, according to multiple outlets, and Atlanta was ready to pull the trigger.

Then Horford signed with Boston, the Hawks gave Dwight Howard a massive deal and kept Millsap.

If you choose to believe everything team executives say on record, then this settles it. They love Millsap and he's not going anywhere. Here

[Jamaaliver]

Brad Rowlands over at Peachtree Hoops speaks with Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post regarding a number of issues in the daily Locked on Hawks Podcast. They speculate greatly on whether the Hawks SHOULD strongly consider moving Millsap in trade this year.

The consensus they come to is that losing a max player two summers in a row is simply unfathomable, deeming it 'Bad Asset Management'.

They predict that if the Hawks are in the bottom half of the playoffs (or worse) come mid-season, we might see Millsap traded.

Begins around 13:10 mark. But the entire podcast is a good listen. Interesting to hear a beat writer from a large paper speaking so in-depth on our Hawks.

[Jamaaliver]

A piece from SI.com:

Which NBA Star Needs A Trade The Most?

Ben Golliver: Paul Millsap, Hawks

When Millsap re-upped with the Hawks in July 2015, he was coming off a 60-win season and a trip to the East finals. He was also re-signing with a roster that had all the necessary pieces to make its unique offensive function at an elite level...a lot has changed over the last 15 months:

Atlanta took a noticeable step backwards in the standings last season, Horford bailed for greener pastures in Boston, Dwight Howard was brought in to plug the hole in the middle, Teague was traded for a draft pick, and Dennis Schroder was handed the reins. This year’s Hawks should still be respectable, but their short-term and long-term ceilings aren’t especially high, Millsap will be 32 before the All-Star break, and the Millsap/Howard pairing could be headed for some complications and fit issues.

It's easy to see the logic forming for a trade, particularly if Atlanta hits some first-half speed bumps. From Millsap’s side, a Horford-like exit next summer in pursuit of a team with better winning prospects would make a lot of sense at this point in his career. From Atlanta’s side, it would be tough to lose two versatile and complete All-Star bigs in back-to-back summers without some form of compensation.

A trade deadline move could therefore satisfy both parties: Millsap could join a more serious contender, Atlanta could stockpile a few prospects and picks, and a team like Boston or Toronto could add a legitimate difference-maker in preparation for a playoff series with Cleveland. After a decade of being one of the NBA’s most overlooked and underrated players, Millsap deserves another shot at some serious postseason stakes.

Here

[nbafan341]

Cory joseph + Demarre Carrol and a 1st round pick in 2018? would you guys do the trade?

[Jamaaliver]

Cory joseph + Demarre Carrol and a 1st round pick in 2018? would you guys do the trade?

For Millsap? No...not nearly enough.

Maybe Millsap, THJ, Tiago Splitter and a draft pick for Jonas, Demarre and Cory Joseph...MAYBE!


Sent from my iPad using RealGM Forums

[Jamaaliver]

At the quarter mark of the season, with a bottom five offense, a roster full of aging, expiring vets and .500 record...it's seriously time to re-visit this.


Millsap's efficiency is slightly down as a result of our poor play. He's also struggled with minor, nagging injuries the last couple months which caused him to miss regular season and pre-season games in addition to training camp.


Are we at a consensus yet that we should be actively pursuing a Millsap trade?
What could we hope to get in return?

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[PandaKidd]

They could lose vs OKC , then Heat BUcks Magic Raptors.

They should go 3-2. If they go 1-4 and on DEC 16th they are 11-15............

THe only other thing is that its not like they are far out of the conference. 4.5 games back, its early, it DOESNT look good and I dont see them turning a switch on and fixing all the problems, but its not like they are already 10 games back like it would have been last year or the year before. They are 2 games from 3rd place.

Point being, they should be looking, and taking all calls. Its trending that way. Not sure you can send the message the season is over at the 25% mark. Nothing would get done before FEB

[krakdol]

Cory joseph + Demarre Carrol and a 1st round pick in 2018? would you guys do the trade?

For Millsap? No...not nearly enough.

Maybe Millsap, THJ, Tiago Splitter and a draft pick for Jonas, Demarre and Cory Joseph...MAYBE!

As a neutral (non-Hawks) fan, you're dreaming here. Millsap is a great player but he's 32. You'll never get that much for 1 or 2 good years because after all that's what's left in Millsap.

Best bet is probably to wait for the trade deadline and sell to a contender. You definitely can get one good younger player and maybe a mid 1st round pick on top of that, but there's no chance you get more than that.

[Jamaaliver]

Cory joseph + Demarre Carrol and a 1st round pick in 2018? would you guys do the trade?

For Millsap? No...not nearly enough.

Maybe Millsap, THJ, Tiago Splitter and a draft pick for Jonas, Demarre and Cory Joseph...MAYBE!

As a neutral (non-Hawks) fan, you're dreaming here. Millsap is a great player but he's 32. You'll never get that much for 1 or 2 good years because after all that's what's left in Millsap.

Best bet is probably to wait for the trade deadline and sell to a contender.

Yeah. You're probably right. I was looking at the trade value OKC got in return for Serge Ibaka a few months back. (Lotto pick and top young player). But, admittedly, Millsap's value has lessened in the last couple of months. Nagging injuries, lowered efficiency, less than a year under contract.

Our Front Office really screwed the pooch again on this. We allowed Josh Smith and AL Horford to leave without getting anything in return. There's a decent chance we do the same with Millsap.

[PandaKidd]

If the Dwight experiment fails, they have to move on from Millsap. I dont care what they get in return, if they are under .500 mid january, they better be shopping him hard.

[Troubadour]

What are you all expecting in return for MIllsap? He's obviously a great player, but the circumstances (age, contract status) make it difficult to get a huge return.

[dms269]

What are you all expecting in return for MIllsap? He's obviously a great player, but the circumstances (age, contract status) make it difficult to get a huge return.

I ighly doubt that Atlanta is in the market to get a bunch of depth pieces for Millsap. I would likely guess a younger pf +.

[Troubadour]

What are you all expecting in return for MIllsap? He's obviously a great player, but the circumstances (age, contract status) make it difficult to get a huge return.

I ighly doubt that Atlanta is in the market to get a bunch of depth pieces for Millsap. I would likely guess a younger pf +.

Would Patrick Patterson fit the bill there? Looking around the league, I don't see many that are a) young and b) fit the Hawks' style of play. Maybe JaMychal Green? Derrick Favors, but he's been hurt and can't really shoot. Millsap probably doesn't re-sign in Utah. Gorgui Dieng could be interesting, but he's not really a shooter or a power forward.

[Jamaaliver]

What are you all expecting in return for MIllsap? He's obviously a great player, but the circumstances (age, contract status) make it difficult to get a huge return.

I see two types of teams vying for an expiring Millsap at this point:

1) A bad team desperate just to make the playoffs to save a few jobs in the front office (New Orleans, Sacramento, Milwaukee, Orlando, Lakers)

2) A very good team looking to make an all-in splash to jump to contender status (Houston, Boston, Toronto)


Buddy Hield, Cauley-Stein, John Henson, Vucevic seem like the kind of players the Hawks would ask for from Type-1 teams. Young cheap players under contract for a while.

(Beverly, Motiejunas & Dekker) (Avery Bradley & James Young) (Cory Joseph, Bebe & Demarre Carroll) seem like decent packages from Type 2 teams. Role players, young, unproductive talents on decent contracts.

I imagine the Hawks would throw in almost any vets to balance contracts and sweeten the pot.

[Troubadour]

What are you all expecting in return for MIllsap? He's obviously a great player, but the circumstances (age, contract status) make it difficult to get a huge return.

I see two types of teams vying for an expiring Millsap at this point:

1) A bad team desperate just to make the playoffs to save a few jobs in the front office (New Orleans, Sacramento, Milwaukee, Orlando, Lakers)

2) A very good team looking to make an all-in splash to jump to contender status (Houston, Boston, Toronto)


Buddy Hield, Cauley-Stein, John Henson, Vucevic seem like the kind of players the Hawks would ask for from Type-1 teams. Young cheap players under contract for a while.

(Beverly, Motiejunas & Dekker) (Avery Bradley & James Young) (Cory Joseph, Bebe & Demarre Carroll) seem like decent packages from Type 2 teams. Role players, young, unproductive talents on decent contracts.

Sincerely doubt Carroll is included in any trade. He's our only wing player who can even try to defend LeBron. It's more likely that Terrence Ross would be the player we'd send out. He's young, under contract for the next 2 1/2 seasons, and is having a 50/40/90 season this year.

Interesting package from Houston, especially compared to what Toronto/Boston gives up in your ideas.

[Jamaaliver]

Sincerely doubt Carroll is included in any trade. He's our only wing player who can even try to defend LeBron. It's more likely that Terrence Ross would be the player we'd send out. He's young, under contract for the next 2 1/2 seasons, and is having a 50/40/90 season this year.

Duly noted.

2) A very good team looking to make an all-in splash to jump to contender status (Houston - Beverly, Motiejunas & Dek)

Interesting package from Houston, especially compared to what Toronto/Boston gives up in your ideas.

Good point. They do seem to be getting a steal of a deal. But considering our struggles whenever Millsap doesn't play next to Horford and the fact he likely leaves next summer for nada...I'd strongly consider this. I do like Dekker in our system and could see starting Motiejunas sooner than later as a floor spacer.

[Troubadour]

Sincerely doubt Carroll is included in any trade. He's our only wing player who can even try to defend LeBron. It's more likely that Terrence Ross would be the player we'd send out. He's young, under contract for the next 2 1/2 seasons, and is having a 50/40/90 season this year.

Duly noted.

2) A very good team looking to make an all-in splash to jump to contender status (Houston - Beverly, Motiejunas & Dek)

Interesting package from Houston, especially compared to what Toronto/Boston gives up in your ideas.

Good point. They do seem to be getting a steal of a deal. But considering our struggles whenever Millsap doesn't play next to Horford and the fact he likely leaves next summer for nada...I'd strongly consider this. I do like Dekker in our system and could see starting Motiejunas sooner than later as a floor spacer.

The trade that gets floated on our board a fair bit:

Millsap for Terrence Ross, Jared Sullinger, one of Jakob Poeltl/Delon Wright, 2017 1st Round Pick (LAC), 2018 1st Round Pick (TOR)

Not sure if that gets it done, but the Raptors would be all over that, I think. Ujiri may want better value - who knows.

[Jamaaliver]

The trade that gets floated on our board a fair bit:

Millsap for Terrence Ross, Jared Sullinger, one of Jakob Poeltl/Delon Wright, 2017 1st Round Pick (LAC), 2018 1st Round Pick (TOR)

Not sure if that gets it done, but the Raptors would be all over that, I think. Ujiri may want better value - who knows.

I'd be down for Jakob Poeltl, Bebe Nogueira, Terrence Ross and filler.

(I think both those Centers have starting potential down the line and, thus, great future trade value. Terrence Ross can fill in now.)



You mentioned Gorgui Dieng in a post earlier. I love that kid and have coveted him for years. I'd consider a package based on those principles now that Gorgui is under contract long-term.

[Troubadour]

The trade that gets floated on our board a fair bit:

Millsap for Terrence Ross, Jared Sullinger, one of Jakob Poeltl/Delon Wright, 2017 1st Round Pick (LAC), 2018 1st Round Pick (TOR)

Not sure if that gets it done, but the Raptors would be all over that, I think. Ujiri may want better value - who knows.

I'd be down for Jakob Poeltl, Bebe Nogueira, Terrence Ross and filler.

(I think both those Centers have starting potential down the line and, thus, great future trade value. Terrence Ross can fill in now.)



You mentioned Gorgui Dieng in a post earlier. I love that kid and have coveted him for years. I'd consider a package based on those principles now that Gorgui is under contract long-term.

I think you'd have to pick between Poeltl and Nogueira due to our own depth issues, but interesting to hear that it's not far off.