Huzzah, Magic fans, especially you, Burnsy. David Aldridge and the Salt Lake Tribune‘s Tony Jones both reported this morning that Paul Millsap might be going to Florida, and we’re not talking about the Heat.
Paul Millsap met with the Orlando Magic last night, NBA source tells The Salt Lake Tribune. Interest is high between the two sides
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) July 1, 2015
Boom: Paul Millsap met with Orlando Magic in Atlanta at 12:01 last night, high interest between both. Will decide between Magic and Hawks.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 1, 2015
ESPN’s Chris Broussard adds that the Magic offered him a four-year, $80 million deal, and now he’s deciding between the Magic and Hawks, despite interest from Dallas, Indiana and New York. He won’t meet with either of the latter trio, which I’m sure a lot of schlubs in New York will unfairly ascribe to Phil Jackson.
Sources: @Paulmillsap4 met w/Orlando last night, was offered Mac 4 yr, $80 million deal. Millsap will decide Btwn ATL & Orl.
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 1, 2015
NBA source tells The Tribune Millsap at this point will choose between the Magic and the Atlanta Hawks.
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) July 1, 2015
Source tells The Tribune Millsap also has interest from the Indiana Pacers and the Dallas Mavericks
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) July 1, 2015
New York, Indiana, Dallas were interested in Millsap but he will not meet with them. Deciding Btwn offers from ATL & Orl
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 1, 2015
But back to Millsap’s decision. He’s turning 31 near the all-star break next season, and he’s made two consecutive all-star teams in Atlanta, while posting his second-highest player efficiency rating last season.
Oh, and he was probably the best overall player on a 60-win Hawks squad last year, though his fellow all-stars — Al Horford, Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver — might argue that first point.
You’re going to hear this refrain a lot today and for the rest of the month, but a player like Millsap — who ranked No. 3 in real plus-minus among power forwards, trailing only Brow and Tim Duncan, and who sometimes acted as the focal point of a devastatingly effective regular season offense in ATL — is a steal at $20 million a year in the latter end of his prime. That’s all because the cap will jump next season, as will max contracts.
Sure, you could say, ‘why not pay Tobias Harris, who is eight years younger, $10 million to $20 million less for similar numbers?’ But Harris might be looking for a max, and he’s not the all-around force Millsap has become heading into his 10th season. Millsap is better (Harris is ranked No. 57 in real plus-minus among small forwards), and paying Harris that money — when there’s speculation he might not get along with new coach Scott Skiles — is a much bigger risk for Rob Hennigan than Millsap would be.
Then again, Harris and Millsap at the forward slots would be imposing, and they can sign Harris to a near-max deal and go over the cap to do it.
But let’s also temper Magic expectations that Millsap will guarantee a playoff berth. It might lead to one in the Eastern Conference, but it’s doubtful they lock up homecourt in the first-round. To go from lottery squad to middling, mid-tier Eastern Conference playoff team is almost like a step backwards in today’s NBA, where revamping in the Draft is the only option for mid-market teams like Orlando.
Still, if you’re a Magic fan, this has to feel good. Millsap is a legitimate all-star passing over Dallas and Indiana, playoff teams when healthy, to strongly consider signing in Orlando. Whether it’s the money, the weather or some other factor, it doesn’t matter. You should feel happy about this, even if he decides to re-sign with Atlanta.
(Via ESPN)
