Paul Millsap
This is another one that would be hard to pull off, with or without Hayward’s big money on the books. Having said that, the return of Paul Millsap to the Jazz would surely pop the fans in Utah and shore up the frontcourt. He’s a fan favorite and would complement Gobert well as a mobile, playmaking big.
Millsap is honestly the first player I think of when Dennis Lindsey talks about Jazz DNA. He’s a hard worker, a great defender, an unselfish teammate and a high-character person. At 32, he’s on the back end of his career, but he’s still a four-time All-Star and is coming off a playoff run that saw him average 24 points, nine boards and just under two steals per game.
Although he’s the Atlanta Hawks’ best player, he’ll probably be available. Atlanta GM Travis Schlenk recently indicated that they probably won’t be maxing him out. So if he wants his biggest payday, he’ll likely have to look elsewhere. Whether the Jazz can pony up the kind of dough Millsap demand is hard to say.
Of course, if Lindsey can unload Derrick Favors and/or Alec Burks, the team may have a more of an ability to chase a player like Millsap. But is it wise to give a player in the twilight of his career a multi-year deal that averages out to more than $30 million per season?