Another roster reconstruction is underway.
The Hawks are finalizing a trade to send Kyle Korver to the Cavaliers. It’s likely the first of several moves before the NBA’s trade deadline on Feb. 23. Call it the first domino to fall as the organization moves to get younger, acquire future assets and change the makeup of a team to one it believes can compete for a championship.
Other players who could be next include Paul Millsap and Thabo Sefolosha and perhaps Tim Hardaway Jr.
Neither Millsap nor Sefolosha would speculate on the direction of the organization following the Korver deal.
“Not my place,” Millsap said. “My job is to get out there and play basketball. I’m going to miss Kyle but other than that, life goes on, the season goes on. You just have to be ready for whatever happens. Right now, we have to win basketball games.”
The Hawks are talking to a number of teams about the availability of Millsap. The Kings are very interested, according to a person familiar with the situation. Other teams that have reportedly shown interest include the Raptors, Nuggets and 76ers.
One factor in the Hawks moving Millsap would be the ability to re-sign the three-time All-Star. What the Hawks get in return will depend greatly on whether the trade partner can get more than a rental player. Millsap has an opt-out year on his contract and can become an unrestricted free agent.
Millsap turned the attention from his future back to Korver following the Hawks win over the Pelicans and the news about Korver Thursday.
“Today is not about me,” Millsap said. “Today is about Kyle. It’s about Kyle leaving. I’m not a selfish guy. It’s not about me. It’s not about what’s going to happen next. It’s about cherishing the time that Kyle has been here, cherishing him being a great teammate.”
The Hawks lost Al Horford to free agency and Jeff Teague to trade during the summer as part of the roster remake. The team lost DeMarre Carroll to free agency the previous summer. Millsap is the lone remaining starter from the 60-win season.
The Hawks signed Dwight Howard and re-signed Kent Bazemore in the offseason. They signed Dennis Schroder to a contract extension last month. Those three along with Malcolm Delaney and first-round picks Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry are the knowns. The remainder of the roster in Mike Muscala, Kris Humphries, Ryan Kelly, Tiago Splitter, Mike Scott, Sefolosha and Hardaway Jr. are unrestricted or restricted free agents.
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