Mar 10, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

What would it take for the Heat to move up in the NBA Draft?

What would it take for the Heat to move up in the NBA Draft? by Wes Goldberg

Should the Miami Heat target Paul Millsap, who has opted out of his contract, in free agency?

On Monday The Vertical reported that Paul Millsap has opted out of the final year of his contract to test the open market of free agency.

Millsap, 32, averaged 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 69 games for the Atlanta Hawks, and hopes to sign a more lucrative deal that would pay him more than the $21.4 million he was due next season.

His decision comes at a time when the NBA’s salary cap is rising again, to $101 million. The contract Millsap signed in 2015 provided him an escape route to a player-friendly market, and he’s prepared to take advantage.

While Atlanta has stated that they’d like to retain Millsap, and Millsap has said he’s interesting in re-signing, it’s clear that he won’t let the opportunity to get paid nearly $10 million more next season pass by. Millsap will be looking to cash in, and the Hawks may or may not be willing to pay up.

This comes after a season in which the Hawks lost Al Horford the summer prior and traded away both Jeff Teague last offseason and Kyle Korver before the trade deadline. There were rumors Atlanta was also shopping Millsap for a brief period, but they shut those down and ultimately didn’t move him.

However, it’s clear this Hawks team is much different than the group that won 60 games three seasons ago. They could be looking to move in a new direction, and locking up Millsap to a max contract until his age 35 or 36 season could hinder that pivot.

If a team is willing to shell out max money–upwards of $30 million for each of the next four seasons–Millsap could be on his way out of Atlanta.

That brings us to the Miami Heat, who could be on the lookout for a “whale” and have a need for a power forward, depending on what happens with James Johnson in free agency.

Millsap is the type of versatile player the Heat like. He can play the 4, but move to the 5 in small-ball units. He’s one of the better defenders in the league, too, capable of defending players on the perimeter and in the post. He’s the East’s Draymond Green-lite, and should have plenty of suitors. The Raptors, Magic, Celtics, Rockets and more could all be interested in Millsap’s services.

He won’t be on top of Miami’s priority list–that would be Utah’s Gordon Hayward–but Millsap is the type of player who would fit nicely next to Hassan Whiteside and provide a pick-and-pop outlet (31 percent 3-point shooter last season) for Goran Dragic.

However, during his press conference at the end of the season, Pat Riley expressed hesitance at offering players contracts that would pay Millsap what he’s likely to make next season. He likely wouldn’t pay anyone short of a franchise-changing player that sort of money. As good as Millsap is, he’s not that kind of player, especially not at his age.

A team that is a piece away may be a better fit for him, but the Heat are little further off.