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Atlanta Hawks 2016-2017 Season Review: Kent Bazemore

By Collin Huguley

Apr 26, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) defends in the first quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) defends in the first quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) and guard Dennis Schroder (17) react on the bench in the closing minute of their game against the Washington Wizards in game six of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) and guard Dennis Schroder (17) react on the bench in the closing minute of their game against the Washington Wizards in game six of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

What’s Next?

The future of Bazemore is one that appears very uncertain.

He is locked up for three more years but with the emergence of Prince, it would not be surprising to see the Hawks try to dump his contract to a team with cap space. It may be unlikely for the team to take his deal though.

So the Hawks are likely stuck with Bazemore for at least the next season or two. The team must work with him to try and get his game under control. If the 2015-2016 Bazemore can be brought back and turned into a sixth man, then that would be ideal for the Hawks at this point.

That outcome could certainly happen but it will take a lot of work from Baze to clean up his game. He also needs to rediscover his defensive abilities. Bazemore could become a solid bench piece for this team. But it is also possible that he becomes your standard bad contract in the NBA.

Next: Atlanta Hawks 2016-2017 Season Review: Taurean Prince

The Hawks need Bazemore to be the best version of himself. But moving forward, that may not happen consistently. Because it sure as heck didn’t happen this year.

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