Hawks All-Star Paul Millsap to opt out of contract and test free agency

Atlanta Hawks All-Star power forward Paul Millsap will opt out of his contract following this season to test free agency, according to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who is currently working as an NBA sideline reporter and is apparently now breaking NBA news as well.

Hawks F Paul Millsap expected to void contract after season, become free agent, per sources. Loves ATL, would like to stay, but will look.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 23, 2017

Millsap’s decision is not a surprise, of course. He has an opt-out clause in his contract and it’s pretty rare that players do not exercise those. That is even more obvious with the current salary cap state and the type of money being thrown around in free agency. At 32, Millsap can cash in with a massive contract before his career begins to wind down.

Millsap is expected to be one of the most sought after players in an absolutely loaded free agent class. There are many other All-Stars who could hit the open market like Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

Millsap, though, may be one of the best who is actually attainable. All four of those players could very well return to their current teams. If that was the case, Millsap would be one of the best free agents along with Kyle Lowry and Gordon Hayward.

Either way, Millsap will represent a solid option for a team looking to improve their frontcourt. He’s a four-time All-Star and a former All-Defensive team selection. This year he’s averaging a career-high 18.1 points to go along with 7.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

The question is which team will pay a ton of money for big man in his 30s, even though his game would seem to age well. His next move also bears watching for Wizards fans, as the Hawks are a current Eastern Conference playoff team and have the second-best record in the Southeast Division.