The Atlanta Hawks are not going to risk losing another All-Star for nothing next summer. According to league sources, the Hawks are listening to trade offers for Paul Millsap, who is set to opt out of his contract at the end of the season.
Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein of ESPN reported that sources indicate that the Hawks are "fearful" that they might lose Millsap for nothing. It should be noted that Al Horford signed with the Boston Celtics last summer and left the Hawks no choice but to sign Dwight Howard.
Now that Millsap has made up his mind that he will be a free agent this summer, the Hawks have no other choice but to trade him before or at the February 23 deadline. Here are the five potential trade destinations for Millsap.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors only need a good power forward to finally get over the hump and Millsap is just the perfect player for them. Windhorst and Stein indicated that Toronto is very interested in trading for the 31-year-old forward and they have the pieces to make it work.
GM Masai Ujiri could trade Terrence Ross, Patrick Patterson/Jared Sullinger and a draft pick for Millsap. The Hawks will get a possible replacement for Kyle Korver, who is set to be a free agent, in Ross. On the other hand, Patterson or Sullinger are stretch fours that fit in with Howard while the draft pick is just to sweeten the deal.
As for the Raptors, they will finally get a third star to battle the Cleveland Cavaliers. Millsap poses matchup problems and he finally fills the most glaring need of Toronto: a stretch four that can relieve pressure off Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
Denver Nuggets
According to Zach Lowe of ESPN, the Nuggets almost acquired Millsap from the Hawks last summer. They could explore that deal once again before the trade deadline as the Nuggets try to surround Nikola Jokic with good players.
Denver can trade Kenneth Faried, Will Barton and draft picks to acquire Millsap from Atlanta. However, it is a risky move for the Nuggets since the three-time All-Star can become a free agent at the end of the season and sign with a contender.
Boston Celtics
Of all the teams in the NBA, the Celtics have the highest number of draft picks and young assets enough to build a future contender. Danny Ainge has been looking for a third All-Star to help Horford and Isaiah Thomas.
However, Horford prefers playing the four spot rather than the five which means he might not want his former teammate. The Celtics can easily trade for DeMarcus Cousins and but don't count them out in a Millsap deal, especially if the Hawks do not demand either of the Brooklyn Nets pick for 2017 and 2018.
Houston Rockets
The injury to Clint Capela has the Rockets searching for another big man. Millsap might not want to play center but he can certainly slot in as the starting power forward. Ryan Anderson can always come off the bench and become the team's sixth man.
The 31-year-old forward can ease some pressure off James Harden and preserve him for the playoffs. The Rockets do not have the luxury of assets like the Nuggets or Celtics but they will certainly try to trade for Millsap.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Just like the Rockets, the Thunder needs someone to take some pressure off Russell Westbrook. Even though Westbrook is tearing it up this season, he needs a second star to be able to progress in the playoffs.
Victor Oladipo has not quite exploded in his first season in Oklahoma City while Steven Adams is not known for his scoring. The Thunder can trade Enes Kanter, Anthony Morrow and a draft pick for Millsap but they have to make sure that the three-time All-Star will sign an extension before pulling the trigger.
Check out the video below to watch the Top Ten Plays of Millsap's career.