Paul Millsap of the Atlanta Hawks reacts a foul was called charged to a teammate during the game against the Boston Celtics at Philips Arena on January 13, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo : Getty Images/Kevin C. Cox)
Among the big stars in the National Basketball Association that has been included in tons of trade rumors, Paul Millsap is the one considered to be a game changer in the league. However, Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer put an end to those trade rumors by saying that the All-Star forward is to stay in Atlanta.
The former NBA Coach of the Year told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Millsap is not going anywhere except Atlanta amid trade talks including him continue to swirl as the NBA trade deadline draws closer on Feb. 23.
The four-time All-Star forward and the only one remaining in the Hawks original starting unit has been subject to trade rumors recently after reports said that Atlanta began listening to offers for Millsap. But with the trade of Kyle Korver to the Cleveland Cavaliers early in January, Hawks general manager Wes Wilcox reportedly told teams that the multi-faceted forward was already not available for trade talks.
Millsap told the news organization that he believes what Budenholzer told the press, saying that his coach has always been honest to him. The 32-year-old added that he is happy to stay with the Hawks until the end of the year and he will put more work to keep Atlanta afloat in Eastern Conference contention.
According to a report by Yahoo Sports, the Hawks are at risk of losing Millsap for nothing as he has a choice to opt out of his contract in the offseason. In case that happens, Atlanta will have the same experience they had when Al Horford and DeMarre Carroll decided to sign with the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors, respectively, while not receiving something in return.
Millsap, who averages 18.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 32.8 percent from downtown, has been a pivotal factor why the Hawks are in fourth place in the East behind a 32-23 record.
Watch the video below of Millsap's clutch floater which forced overtime against the Portland Trail Blazers recently:
