On Dec. 4, 2024, former NBA player Paul Millsap announced his retirement after 16 years of playing basketball professionally. Millsap announced his decision to retire on Instagram, posting some of his best highlights and a reflection on his life and career.
“Everyone who knows me knows I’ve always been the ‘ride-off-into-the-sunset’ type. Today, I’m making it official: I’m closing this chapter of my life. Looking back, I’m overwhelmed by gratitude. Growing up in small towns in Louisiana, Monroe, Downsville, Ruston, and Grambling. I never imagined the blessings and opportunities that lay ahead. By God’s grace and the love of my family, friends, and fans, I’ve lived my dream for 16 amazing years. To each of you who supported me along the way: thank you. Your belief in me made the impossible possible. As I say goodbye to this part of my journey, I’m excited for what lies ahead and proud of the man I’ve become.”
Teams such as the Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets, and Utah Jazz have congratulated Millsap on retirement since he has played for all of them. They congratulated him with Instagram posts of his best highlights while playing for each of these teams.
Millsap played for Louisiana Tech. University for three years before his NBA career. He eventually made it to the NBA after being drafted in the second round as the 47th overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft.
The Utah Jazz selected him and that was where he first began his career, playing there for seven years. He made the All-Rookie 2nd team which was a big surprise to some, due to many people not having high expectations for players who get drafted in the second round.
After seven years, Millsap eventually went to the Atlanta Hawks which was where his career took a turn for the better. His time from 2013 to 2017 was the prime era of Millsap’s career as he accumulated 4 all-stars straight with this team. Millsap played a big role in making the team extremely successful and being a part of one of the most iconic teams to exist.
Millsap played a large role in leading the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks team to a record of 60-22 which meant they were the best team in the Eastern Conference and the second-best team in the entire league. This team was the most iconic version of the Atlanta Hawks as they had an amazing breakout season compared to them doing worse the prior years.
Although this team was extremely iconic and had the second-best record in the league, another reason they were so iconic was a negative representation. They got swept (losing 4-0) in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which was one of the first times in several years that a #1 seed of a Conference got swept in the playoffs.
Afterwards, from 2017 to 2022, Millsap played for the Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets, and the Philadelphia 76ers doing what he always does and giving all of these teams all he has to offer as a player.
During these years, Millsap was still playing pretty well and was a very efficient player, but he faced the same decline that every NBA player faces later in their career. As time went on, he progressively got worse and worse and after 2022, he wasn’t on an NBA team anymore.
He did continue his career in 2024 in a league called “The Big 3” where he proceeded to play basketball for a team called the Aliens. This was the final team Millsap played for before he decided to retire.
Paul Millsap’s 16 years in the NBA were extremely successful as he had four all-stars and was able to help be a part of one of the best teams in the NBA at one point. Also being one of only eight players all time to have 500 three pointers, and 1,000 blocks and steals.
Although some might not believe he has had much success compared to other players, his career is successful when compared to people who haven’t even got a chance to play in the NBA. Especially not at such a high level as Millsap was playing at during a point in his career.
Aside from his career in the NBA, Millsap also involved himself in basketball with a training and enhancement program called Core4ATL. This was founded by Millsap himself and it is stationed in Chamblee, Georgia. Aside from being open to just anyone, this training facility is partnered with the Atlanta Dream.
Even though Paul Millsap isn’t the most popular player, the impact he had during his career is undeniable. Paul Millsap will forever be cherished and remembered for his legacy both inside and outside of the NBA.
