Paul Millsap Returns to Atlanta on Three-Year Deal

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Paul Millsap has agreed to terms on a three-year, $59 million dollar contract to remain with the Atlanta Hawks. This deal includes a player option in the third year. Millsap has been a Hawk for the past two years, and in those two years, he has been a member of the All Star team both seasons.

Millsap was expected to sign with either the Hawks or the Orlando Magic. Reports stated that the Magic offered him a four year, $80 million dollar deal, and that the Hawks would match their offer. Millsap decided to play for only three years, most likely because he would become a free agent once again when the salary cap is projected to spike in 2017.

The Hawks first acquired Millsap back in July of 2013, when they signed him to a two-year deal worth $19 million. He blossomed under Coach Mike Budenholzer’s system. Many once thought he was undersized for his position at 6’8″, but he proved the doubters wrong.

Earlier today, forward DeMarre Carroll left Atlanta to sign with the Toronto Raptors. The Hawks are very fortunate that Millsap chose them, or else they would have lost two forwards in the first 24 hours of free agency.

Millsap is coming off of his second consecutive All Star appearance, and was a major factor for the Hawks last season. He averaged 17 points and eight rebounds per contest.

Even though Millsap re-signed with Atlanta, the team had already begun preparing for his departure. They brought in former Spurs power forward / center Tiago Splitter. Splitter will now compliment Millsap and center Al Horford in the paint.

With this agreement, Millsap will find himself with a bump in his salary, and Atlanta will retain their reliable big man.