Report: Kings, Pelicans, Three Other Teams Interested In Hawks’ Paul Millsap

Now that the Atlanta Hawks have traded 35-year-old sharpshooter Kyle Korver to the Cleveland Cavaliers, several NBA teams have quickly begun expressing interest in another Hawks star: forward Paul Millsap.

Report: Kings, Pelicans, Three Other Teams Interested In Hawks’ Paul Millsap

The five teams that have looking to trade for Millsap are the Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans.

The Atlantic Journal-Constitution’s Chris Vivlamare reported the Kings’ interest in Millsap on Twitter late Thursday.

Minutes later, Real GM writer Keith Smith joined the conversation.

Smith also added that DeMarcus Cousins would not be included in any deal for Millsap and that the Kings would love to pair the veteran with their All-star center.

Millsap, 31, is in the midst of a three-year, $60 million contract that lasts through the 2017-2018 season, although he has a $22 million player option for next year and could leave as an unrestricted free agent.

The three-time All-Star is recording great number with the Hawks, averaging 17.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 33.9 minutes per game.

Sacramento has already committed their 2017 first round selection (top 10 protected) to the Chicago Bulls as part of the Omri Casspi/J.J. Hickson deal from 2011 and their 2019 pick is property of the Philadelphia 76ers from the Nik Stauskas, Jason Thompson, Carl Landry deal from 2015. The earliest selection the Kings could include is a 2021 pick per NBA rules.

Basketball Insiders’ Michael Scotto first reported the news of the Pelicans’ interest in Millsap:

The Pelicans are two games out of playoff position, although that’s a larger gap than it appears– especially because they’re 11th in the West at 14-23. Therefore, they would have to play better while hoping other NBA teams struggle to win their own games.

The mechanics of a Millsap trade to the Pelicans would also be tough. It would be difficult for New Orleans to match Millsap’s $20,072,033 salary without including useful players. Tyreke Evans on an expiring contract is a logical starting point, but he alone wouldn’t be enough. Would the Hawks take on long-term contracts for players like Solomon Hill, E’Twaun Moore and Langston Galloway?

ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 05: Paul Millsap #4 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against Andre Roberson #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Philips Arena on December 5, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Article by Pablo Mena