Tiago Splitter is coming off a season-ending hip injury and is the fourth-highest paid player on the Hawks. Does he have a future in Atlanta?
The Hawks’ offseason, up to this point, has been full of action. Two-fifths of the starting lineup from last year’s 48-win season departed, with Jeff Teague’s trade to Indiana and Al Horford’s departure to Boston. But, the new faces in Atlanta, including Dwight Howard, Taurean Prince, and DeAndre Bembry, should fill the voids left by Teague and Horford easily, once they figure out their place in Coach Mike Budenholzer’s system.
The Hawks front office may not be finished, though. The roster currently stands at 16 players, including former Michigan State forward Matt Costello, who’s contract only guarantees him a spot on through training camp. If Costello doesn’t make the final roster (as expected), the roster would sit at 15 players, or the maximum number allowed under typical conditions. In the event of an injury, it would be difficult for the Hawks to sign a replacement to a contract, as there would be no roster spots available, unless the player went out for the season. In this case, the Hawks front office could apply for a Disabled Player Exception, that would create an opportunity for the team to obtain a replacement player. Larry Coon’s NBA Salary Cap FAQ explains the exception:
"This exception allows a team which is over the cap to replace a disabled player who will be out for the remainder of that season (it can also be granted in the event of a player’s death). This exception is granted by the league, based on an application from the team and a determination by an NBA-designated physician that the player is substantially more likely than not to be unable to play through the following June 15.If this exception is granted, the team can acquire one player via free agent signing, trade or waiver claim, to replace the disabled player:The team may sign a free agent for one season only, for 50% of the disabled player’s salary or the amount of the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level exception, whichever is less.The team may trade for a player in the last season of his contract only (including any option years)4, who is making no more than 50% plus $100,000 of the disabled player’s salary, or the amount of the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level exception plus $100,000, whichever is less.The team may claim a player on waivers who is in the last season of his contract only (including any option years), who is making no more than 50% of the disabled player’s salary, or the amount of the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level exception, whichever is less."
If the Hawks wished to make a move without the exception, a roster spot would have to be made available. And Tiago Splitter surely looks to be the most expendable member of the Hawks. In his 36 games last season, he averaged 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
This was surely disappointing, as Splitter came to the Hawks to be the third big, backing up two All-Stars. Now, Splitter comes into the 2016-17 season as a 31-year-old, overpaid big coming off an injury. Splitter’s lack of range on his jumpshot also makes him a less that ideal backup center. Mike Muscala, who shot 12-for-39 on three-pointers last year, is coming into his fourth season in the NBA and has shown skills that could make him a great fit as the Hawks’ third big. Along with Kris Humphries and Edy Tavares (in limited minutes), the Hawks would have enough frontcourt bodies to replace Splitter’s production, if the Hawks move him.
The Hawks frontcourt currently employs seven players: Splitter, Muscala, Humphries, Tavares,
Dwight Howard, Paul Millsap, and Mike Scott. Out of this overcrowded group, Splitter is the third-highest paid player, at a 8.25 million dollars. His contract is over after the 2016-17 season, which could make moving him easier. Splitter’s name hasn’t been circulated through the trade rumor system just yet, but as the season progresses, he could be a option for a team searching for a rotation big.
There is also the prospect of Splitter playing out his contract with the Hawks. He has been with Coach Budenholzer for four years, spanning from their time in San Antonio, and have undoubtedly became familiar with one another. Splitter also has the potential to fit into the rotation perfectly and help shore up the rebounding issues. His 7.5 rebounds per 36 minutes ranked 5th on the team, and his 2.8 offensive boards ranked 2nd. It would also give him an opportunity to play well going into the 2017 offseason, where the cap floor is expected to explode to an estimated 94 million, according to Larry Coon’s Salary Cap FAQ.
Splitter will be a member of the Hawks until the front office chooses to let him go, either through a trade or letting him walk in free agency. If the team lets him go, the crowded frontcourt will have a little more room, and the Hawks would gain up to 8.4 million dollars in cap room. But, if the Hawks chose to keep the veteran center, he would help shore up the rebounding issues that plagued the Hawks for the past few seasons, and bring a champion presence to the locker room.