The Hawks agreed to terms with free agent Paul Millsap late Friday night, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has learned.
The deal for the 6-foot-8 power forward will be for two years and $19 million, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The agreement with Millsap came hours after the Jazz renounced his rights upon agreeing to a trade with the Warriors. In that deal, the Jazz obtained the expiring contracts of Richard Jefferson, Andris Biedrins and Brandon Rush. Millsap made $8.6 million last season and had an $11 million cap hold.
The Hawks also agreed to terms on a two-year, $5 million deal with Millsap’s former Jazz teammate forward DeMarre Carroll.
Per NBA rules, the contracts cannot be signed until July 10.
The moves could signal the end of Josh Smith’s tenure in Atlanta. The unrestricted free agent, who spent nine seasons with his hometown Hawks, is testing the market. He has met with the Pistons and Rockets.
The agreements also come hours after the Hawks learned that Dwight Howard would not sign with them. Howard agreed to join the Rockets after informing the Hawks, Lakers, Mavericks and Warriors that he would not sign. Howard changed his Twitter avatar to himself wearing a Rockets uniform late Friday night. It accompanied the following tweet: “I’ve decided to become a member of the Houston Rockets. I feel its (sic) the best place for me and I am excited about joining the Rockets and I’m looking forward to a great season. I want to thank the fans in Los Angeles and wish them the best.”
In Millsap and Carroll the Hawks continue to fill their roster with high-character, professional players. The contracts are also cap friendly and could be moved if necessary.
Millsap played all seven of his seasons with the Jazz after being selected in the second round (No. 47 overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft out of Louisiana Tech. Last season, Millsap averaged 14.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 78 games.
Carroll, 6-8, was selected in the first round (No. 27 overall) by the Grizzlies in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Missouri. He averaged 6.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 66 games last season. In Carroll the Hawks get a hard-working wing defender with size. The Hawks hope that work ethic will be contagious for the number of young players on the roster.
The Hawks re-signed guard/forward Kyle Korver earlier in the week.
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