Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap could be an option for the Boston Celtics if the C's fail to find major trades before the February 2017 deadline.
The Celtics are expected to become major players in the trade market, with the team looking to further improve their chances of competing in the postseason. According to ESPN's Chris Forsberg, the Celtics are still hoping to that a "big deal would materialize soon."
"Informed that rivals were wondering whether a big deal was in the offing, one member of Boston's front office downplayed the chatter but noted that he certainly hoped a big deal would materialize soon," Forsberg wrote.
"Don't read too much into that. The insinuation was simply this: The Celtics believe their best trade is their next trade."
The Celtics have plenty of trade assets to orchestrate a blockbuster deal for big names like Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and Indiana Pacers star Paul George. But if no potential deals for the mentioned All-Stars materialize soon, Matt Moore of CBS Sports suggested Paul Millsap as a "bail-out option" for the Celtics.
"Paul Millsap remains maybe the bail-out option, but he's still on Horford's tier. Boston has put together a lot of assets to make that one big move. Finding it is going to be really difficult but still urgent," Moore wrote.
The Atlanta Hawks have considered moving Millsap this past summer in hopes of making room for re-signing Al Horford. That did not happen, with Horford joining the Celtics instead, but trading Millsap could still be an option for the Hawks, especially with the All-Star forward set to explore free agency next year, according to ESPN's NBA Insider Kevin Arnovitz.
"At some point, the Hawks will have to weigh moving Millsap, whom they considered trading last summer. Millsap is entering the final year of his contract (he will almost certainly exercise his opt-out clause), he will be 32 before the All-Star break and he will demand a hefty raise next summer. If the Hawks aren't contending, it might be wise to get value for a guy they're unlikely to retain long-term," Arnovitz wrote.
Millsap would give the Celtics a versatile player on both ends of the floor, who has shown he can be an effective frontcourt tandem to Horford during their time together in Atlanta. Millsap's ability to create shots and cover up multiple positions would be a tremendous boost for the Celtics if they are to compete in the playoffs.
Trading for Millsap would probably involve Amir Johnson's expiring contract and a young talent like Jaylen Brown. There is still a possibility Millsap becomes a one-year rental for the Celtics, but playing alongside Horford may help Boston to lock him up long-term.
There will be plenty of available options for the Celtics after January 15, when players who signed this past summer are eligible to get traded. But if Boston won't be able to pry out bigger fishes in the market, Millsap could be a suitable alternative for the Celtics.
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