Recent rumors have emerged that Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap is currently on the trading block and that the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings are two potential destinations for the All-Star big man.
According to HNGN, the Bulls are rumored to be set on upgrading their frontcourt to balance out a guard-heavy roster composed of Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo, and Jimmy Butler. At the moment, Chicago has former bench player Taj Gibson starting at the four spot alongside new acquisition Robin Lopez who plays at center.
The report noted that the Bulls will try "to have him (Millsap) before the trade deadline" and will offer Spanish stretch four Nikola Mirotic, rookie Denzel Valentine, and a protected first-round draft pick in exchange for the former Louisiana Tech standout.
Millsap, 31, is in the second year of his three-year, $60.2 million deal with the Hawks, which pays him an average of $20 million per season. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2018 and Atlanta could avoid the pressure of having to negotiate with him for a max salary contract if the club decides to trade him before this season's February deadline.
The Hawks will get two promising young players in Mirotic and Valentine without missing Millsap's outside shooting and floor-spacing skills. The future first-rounder is also expected to become highly-valuable in next summer's draft.
Meanwhile, Fansided reported that the Hawks may also trade Millsap to the Kings for disgruntled small forward Rudy Gay.
Gay, 30, has been linked with a move to Atlanta in the past couple of years and this season could finally be the team he gets to join the Hawks.
With Millsap sure to receive max salary offers from other teams when he becomes a free-agent, it would be wise for Atlanta to trade him for Gay and maybe a few more of Sacramento's assets.
Millsap is currently averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.6 steals in 32.8 minutes per game in 19 games so far this season.
