Let’s be clear: Paul Millsap would be a fine addition at just about any price, but at this price he’s a steal. He’s a proven power forward – proven at power forward in a way that Al Horford is not, let me emphasize – whose signing won’t hamstring the Atlanta Hawks for the next half-decade. Nineteen million over two seasons? Great deal.

Of Millsap, Hawks general manager Danny Ferry said Wednesday at Philips Arena: “His energy level night in and night out is unique … He embodies the identity and the values we want to have.”

Let’s also be clear about this: At the moment, the Hawks aren’t as talented as they were last season and not nearly as gifted as they were before Ferry arrived and starting clearing cap space. That would change if they land Andrew Bynum, who’s a real center, albeit one with iffy wheels. But at the moment, this is a team that will have to bank on being a team, as opposed to out-talenting opponents.

Ferry again, speaking of a 4-5 tandem of Millsap and Horford: “The thing I really like is their ability to pass the ball … The chemistry between them should be very good.”

And let’s be clear about one final thing: Playing as a team is a great and laudable thing. Still, this is the NBA, and in the NBA, as the former Hawks coach Larry Drew said, “Talent wins.”