Atlanta Hawks exploring trade offers for Paul Millsap, per report

The Atlanta Hawks closed 2016 with back-to-back wins but that reportedly won’t stop the team from listening to offers for its best player. On New Year’s Day, Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst of ESPN brought word that All-Star power forward Paul Millsap could be hitting the trade market in advance of his free agency.

This is not overly shocking news given the team’s pedestrian record and the fact that Millsap will hit the open market in just six months. However, Atlanta’s willingness to explore any rebuilding option, including a trade involving Millsap, has been a point of contention for some time.

Millsap, who will turn 32 years old in February, is averaging 17.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season after a year in which he was an All-Star and NBA All-Defensive Team selection. In terms of specifics, nothing has come to the forefront at this stage but offers could come flying from all corners of the NBA world for a player of Millsap’s caliber.

It is important to note that simply listening to trade offers does not mean that the Atlanta Hawks will pull the trigger, especially when the same was noted concerning both Al Horford and Jeff Teague a year ago. However, this is now officially a developing situation and one that deserves close monitoring. Stay tuned.