The Atlanta Hawks will need more from Paul Millsap at age 31 this season than they have needed from him the past few years, even when winning 67 games and with him being an All-Star. With Al Horford gone, Millsap will become the focal point of the offense, given the fact that Dwight Howard has never been nor will ever be a good post player offensively.
However, his year is off to a rocky start, as the Hawks announced Thursday he'll undergo a minor procedure to reduce swelling in his right knee, and will miss two preseason games before returning in three weeks, according to the team's projection. Coach Mike Budenholzer said in a statement that the decision was made to help get Millsap "long-term care" and the timing was to ensure his availability for the start of the season, so at this point, his readiness for the season opener on Oct. 26 is not in jeopardy.
The Hawks will need not only Millsap's efficiency this season, but at a higher volume, after Horford's absence, combined with the inexperience of new starting point guard Dennis Schröder. And on top of all that, Millsap is set to be a free agent next summer. Not the start Millsap or the Hawks wanted to the season, but taking the long-term approach is always better. The Hawks are set to host media day on Monday with training camp beginning Tuesday. This will likely mean more time for Mike Scott and Mike Muscala in your preseason daily fantasy lineups.
