The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors could be among the potential destinations for Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap.
Millsap continues to become one of the likely trade candidates this season, with the All-Star forward expected to decline the player option of his three-year $60.2 million contract with the Hawks. While the Hawks have made it clear they plan to keep Millsap long-term, Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated believes Millsap could join another team before the Feb. 23 trade deadline, especially considering the possibility of Atlanta not getting anything in return when the 31-year-old walks away next summer.
"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," Golliver wrote.
In Golliver's trade scenario, two of the teams that could be potential destinations for Millsap are the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors, who could both send "stockpile of prospects and picks" as a form of compensation for acquiring Millsap.
The Raptors could use a versatile forward like Millsap to boost their chances of becoming a bigger threat in the Eastern Conference. Millsap gives the Raptors another All-Star caliber player who can create his own shots and cover up multiple positions.
On the other hand, it is no secret that the Celtics are also looking to further improve their lineup and are open to acquire another proven star who can speed up their process to become legit title contenders. Millsap, who averages 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds this season, could reunite with Al Horford and once again form one of the most formidable frontcourt in the league.
For the Raptors, they could send a package of Patrick Patterson, Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-rounder for Millsap, providing the Hawks a young prospect in Ross and the future pick, while Patterson's expiring contract should give Atlanta flexible cap room for next summer.
The Celtics also have a plethora of future first-rounders and young prospects at their disposal, which could see them as the ideal trade partner for the Hawks. Boston could trade Amir Johnson, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart to the Hawks for Millsap and another player down Atlanta's rotation.
However, while Millsap would be a game-changer for the Celtics and Raptors, the possibility of becoming a one-year rental may force both teams to avoid any potential deal. But if they could convince Millsap to commit long-term, it is a move worth considering for the two Eastern Conference contenders.
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