Soaring Down South
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Grading The Atlanta Hawks Offseason Moves

By Colby Giacubeno

Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) moves the ball over Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) moves the ball over Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) celebrates after his three-point basket in the fourth quarter of their game against the Washington Wizards at Philips Arena. Also shown on the play is Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0). The Hawks won 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) celebrates after his three-point basket in the fourth quarter of their game against the Washington Wizards at Philips Arena. Also shown on the play is Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0). The Hawks won 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Priority No. 1

Re-signing Kent Bazemore was at the top of the Hawks’ priority list this summer. As day one of free agency came to a close, the Hawks agreed to a four-year, $70 million deal with Bazemore.

The 27-year-old showed tremendous growth last season in his first as the starting small forward and had put himself on the wish list of many other teams as free agency approached.

Since going undrafted in the 2012 NBA Draft, Bazemore has evolved his game significantly in every facet. His athleticism has always been an attraction in his game, which makes him a dangerous player out in the open floor. But Bazemore has developed a more well-rounded offensive game by taking his man off the dribble and extending his range out to the three-point line.

Per-36 minutes for the Hawks last season, Bazemore averaged 15.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals while shooting 44.1 percent from the field.

On the defense side of the ball is where Bazmore showed a ton of promise. When DeMarre Carroll signed left to go to Toronto last summer, there were questions of who could be the perimeter defender to take his place. Bazemore stepped up and filled that void as best as he could and while he still isn’t considered an elite defender, it isn’t out of the question that he could potentially become one in the coming years.

The Hawks weren’t in the running for any other small forwards on the market. They tried to make a run at Kevin Durant, but weren’t able to secure a meeting. Locking up Bazemore was the best move they could make in their position.

Final Grade: A+

Next: Acquiring An Overseas Star