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Possible Atlanta Hawks free agents: Jeff Green

By Justin Hodges

Feb 13, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Jeff Green (34) dribbles the ball up court against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Magic won 116-107. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Jeff Green (34) dribbles the ball up court against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Magic won 116-107. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks, at this stage of the offseason, lack depth at the wing positions.

The Atlanta Hawks have Taurean Prince as their foundation small forward for the future. Prince came on strongly at the end of the season as well as the NBA playoffs. Now the second year player-to-be will hold the reigns as Atlanta’s full-time starting three. Now that Prince has taken over as a starter there comes another commodity as a result.

Tim Hardaway Jr and Thabo Sefolosha are both to be free agents come July and the likelihood of either signing back with the Hawks remains uncertain.

Atlanta, in one way or another, shall look to acquire such depth at the two and/or three spots this off-season. A player who can contribute offensively and keep on defensively would be a valuable pickup. The Hawks have already been linked to one small forward in Andre Iguodala. Another possible candidate could be another veteran in Jeff Green.

Green is approaching his tenth season in the NBA and will likely be playing with his sixth different team since being picked 5th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft. Green has journeyed around from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, and most recently the Orlando Magic.

For the majority of his time in the NBA, Green’s career has told a story of untapped potential. He has always had good size at 6’9″, exceptional athleticism and the capability to convert on the perimeter. He averaged 14 points per game over his first four seasons before a heart procedure caused him to miss the 2011-2012 season.

Green came back with two and a half more good seasons with the Celtics before he was dealt to Memphis. Since then his production has taken a major drop. After signing a 1-year $15 million deal with the Magic last summer, Green averaged a career-low 9.2 points per game with the worst shooting percentages and fewest minutes played in his career.

The value for Green has endearingly gone down with his continuous struggles over the years. Now any team that Green signs with will likely utilize him as a role player, something the Atlanta Hawks could be interested in.

Next: Atlanta Hawks Possible Free Agents: Patrick Patterson

Green still has the capability to shoot and create from the perimeter, as well as play down low. As role players go this could be one of the best on the open market depending on how much he gets offered.