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Paul Millsap is hoping to stay in the Southeast Division, it seems.
Millsap met with the Orlando Magic shortly after midnight in Atlanta at the start of free agency, TNT's David Aldridge reports. Millsap was reportedly impressed by the Magic's offer and will decide between Orlando and the Atlanta Hawks.
The reason for Millsap's positive impression? A whole boatload of money.
Whoa. My man @Chris_Broussard just reported Orlando has offered Paul Millsap four-year, $80 mil max to give Hawks something to worry about
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 1, 2015
However, the Hawks have also made the same offer to Millsap, reports David Aldridge of TNT. The decision of where he goes now falls squarely on Millsap's shoulders.
Leaving the 60-win Hawks for the 25-win Magic would be a daring move for Millsap, but Orlando has pieces in place to build a consistent winner for the future. A lineup featuring top prospects Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Vucevic, along with Millsap, has the makings of a budding contender.
Millsap would be a perfect fit for the Magic's young core. His ability to stretch the floor and make plays from the frontcourt are precisely what Orlando lacks. Add in his strong veteran character, and Millsap could conceivably lead the Magic to the playoffs for the first time since the Dwight Howard era.
However, returning to the Hawks will also hold significant appeal. Millsap won't be the undisputed No. 1 option as he would be in Orlando, but the Hawks won the East last season.
But the Hawks will look different next season. The Toronto Raptors poached DeMarre Carroll with a four-year, $60 million deal. Meanwhile, the Hawks also acquired center Tiago Splitter from the San Antonio Spurs.
The 30-year-old Millsap averaged 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.8 steals in 32.7 minutes per game in 2014-15.
Millsap is also reportedly drawing interest from the Utah Jazz.
