ATLANTA -- Paul Millsap confirmed on Saturday he "probably will opt out" of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent, leaving the Atlanta Hawks to plot their future following a painful first-round exit from the playoffs.
Millsap has a $21.4 million option for next season. The four-time All-Star can earn substantially more in a new long-term deal, making the opt-out decision obvious.
The Hawks' win totals have slipped two straight years. The team could enter free-fall mode if unable to re-sign Millsap. The power forward, who averaged 18.1 points and 7.7 rebounds, was the top producer on a roster that received disappointing returns from $70 million investments in Dwight Howard and Kent Bazemore.