When the Atlanta Hawks sent Kyle Korver to the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this season, it seemed to be the start of a process that would inevitably break the team’s core up. That came mere months after fellow former All-Star Jeff Teague was traded to the Indiana Pacers and Al Horford signed with the Boston Celtics.
All the while, rumors persisted that Atlanta might be willing to move big man Paul Millsap. It’s now abundantly clear that Atlanta is not looking to move Millsap prior to Thursday’s trade deadline.
“Let me first be extremely clear. Paul Millsap is not going to be traded,” Hawks general manager Wes Wilcox said, via The Vertical. “And Paul Millsap is absolutely our priority in re-signing him with the Atlanta Hawks.”
This should put to bed rumors that Atlanta will be looking to trade their All-Star big man. Millsap, 32, is averaging 17.9 points and 7.9 rebounds thus far this season. He’s the core player on a Hawks team that’s currently fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 32-24 record. The power forward is expected to opt out of his contract this summer and become a free agent.