The Top 5 Remaining Free Agent Targets for Atlanta Hawks
1. Andrea Bargnani
If you didn’t know better, it would be understandable if you mistakenly assumed that this list is for the biggest draft busts in NBA history. Since being drafted no. 1 overall by Toronto in the 2006 draft, Bargnani has struggled to say the least. Most of his transgressions have been the result of injuries as he couldn’t consistently stay on the court. He is listed at 7’0″, 245 pounds, plays power forward/center and is only 30 years old. Despite the poor guy’s troubles, I’ve got my fingers crossed that he gets reeled in by the Hawks. This is a match made in heaven if I’ve ever seen one.
The backup center position for the Hawks is not going to keep any opponents up at night. With Tiago Splitter and Edy Tavares they essentially have only a big question mark behind Dwight Howard. In regards to Tiago, I was thrilled that the Hawks acquired him, but he has been a disappointment. Even when healthy, he looks totally lost out there and doesn’t bring anything to the table. The Hawks would be wise to search every avenue to try to find a trade partner for him. Tavares is just bad. That’s all I have to say about him.
Andrea Bargnani could serve as the ultimate stretch big for coach Bud, he makes .358 of his long range attempts for his career. Did I mention he is seven feet tall? Adding Bargnani would open things up tremendously for Dwight Howard to operate, cutters to slash inside, or for any ball handler surveying the driving lanes. He also is very mobile for his size and can dribble well too. He played last season for the Brooklyn Nets appearing in 46 games. He averaged 6.2 PPG and 2.1 RPG in 13.8 minutes of action.
The concern for injury is very real with Bargnani. That is the biggest issue of all as he just can’t finish a season. He has never played more than 80 games in a season. If by some miracle he does stay healthy, then he could function phenomenally within the offense. He won’t dominate on the boards or play much defense, but with his skill set he would be an upgrade over the other centers on the Hawks bench.