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Atlanta Hawks Player Appraisal: Ersan Ilyasova

By Collin Huguley

Mar 20, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) looks to pass the ball as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (back) during the first half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) looks to pass the ball as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (back) during the first half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ersan Ilyasova has been a welcome addition for the Atlanta Hawks after being acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers? How much will it cost to keep him?

The Atlanta Hawks made an under-the-radar trade at this season’s trade deadline when they shipped off Tiago Splitter and a couple of second-round picks to Philadelphia in exchange for Ersan Ilyasova.

Ilyasova, 29, is in his ninth season in the NBA and has been a rock-solid stretch big man for the entirety of his career. He has a career average of 11.0 points per game and has played a variety of roles.

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For the Hawks, the Turkish big man has been a terrific addition.

Ilyasova has given the team a great boost as the primary big man off of the bench. He has been an efficient scorer that has been able to provide some much-needed floor spacing and depth behind Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard.

In his first 13 games with the Hawks, Ilyasova averaged 10.3 points per game on 48.9 percent shooting from the field. Not to mention 52.9 percent from three-point range. His ability to play both the power forward and center spots make him one of the best reserve bigs in the NBA. And the Hawks got him for almost nothing.

As good as Ilyasova has been for the Hawks, he is playing in the final year of a five-year/$40 million deal and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

So what will it take for the Hawks to keep him?

Given how salaries have inflated after the rise in the salary cap, it will not be cheap to keep Ilyasova as a high-end bench player.

He could draw between $9-$13 million per year as a backup and maybe even a little more from a team that views him as a potential starter. Would the Hawks be willing to pay that much for him?

Initially, it seems unlikely. With other several other key players on expiring deals, including Millsap, the money it would take to keep Ilyasova would likely need to be saved and thrown at other players.

But the Hawks do need Ilyasova, as they lack frontcourt depth outside of their starters. The draft could be one place to look for another body. But that prospect will not likely be ready to contribute at a high level immediately.

Next: Atlanta Hawks Player Appraisal: Tim Hardaway Jr.

So, will a team need overtake the money factor? That is yet to be determined but Ilyasova will be a wanted man come free agency.

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