All-Star power forward Paul Millsap has opted out of his contract with the Atlanta Hawks to become a free agent, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical.
The dynamic big man leaves behind a $21.4 million player-option in order to seek what's likely to be his last chance to cash in on a big NBA paycheck at 32 years of age.
Millsap had his best scoring season as a Hawk, putting up a career-high 18.1 points per game, along with 7.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game through 69 appearances.
A Swiss army knife, Millsap stepped his game up in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Washington Wizards, putting up 24.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game through six postseason games.
The veteran dynamo is ranked as the No. 1 power forward free agent of this upcoming offseason, according to The Vertical's front office insider Bobby Marks.
When Millsap hit free agency in 2015, his agent, DeAngelo Simmons, structured a three-year, $60.2 million deal with a third-year player option, which he's chosen to exercise now as the team looks for new faces to lead the front office.
The Hawks have inquired about former players Joe Dumars, Chauncey Billups, and Brent Barry as potential candidates for a general manager position, now that the seat is vacant.
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