NBA Rumors: Paul Millsap Opts Out Of Hawks Contract, Hits Free Agency

Add Paul Millsap to the impressive list of NBA players hitting free agency this summer.

Millsap has opted out of his $21.47 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks for the 2017-18 season and instead will become a free agent, Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports’ The Vertical reported Monday, citing league sources.

Millsap’s decision doesn’t necessarily mean he’s leaving Atlanta, though. The All-Star forward has expressed his desire to re-sign with the Hawks, and the club now can offer him a maximum contract worth more than $200 million over five years.

The 32-year-old veteran has emerged as one of the league’s top power forwards over the past several seasons, earning All-Star nods in each of his last four campaigns. Millsap averaged a career-high 18.1 points per game for the Hawks last season to go along with 7.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest.

In short: He’d be a very valuable commodity on the free-agent market, and reports that he’ll rejoin Atlanta didn’t stop Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum from chiming in with a recruiting pitch.

Even if Millsap is leaning toward staying with the Hawks, his addition to the free agent pool should make the summer that much more interesting.

Thumbnail photo via Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports Images