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Possible Atlanta Hawks free agents: Shelvin Mack

By Justin Hodges

Jan 7, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz at Target Center. The Jazz defeated the Timberwolves 94-92. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz at Target Center. The Jazz defeated the Timberwolves 94-92. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Could former Atlanta Hawk Shelvin Mack sign back with the team this offseason?

Shelvin Mack has essentially become a veteran since he was traded from the Atlanta Hawks in 2016, having just finished his sixth season in NBA. In his tenure with Atlanta Mack was a serviceable role player, but was stuck as a third string point guard.

When the Hawks traded Mack to the Utah Jazz in 2016 it was almost as a courtesy to him in order to be on a team he could fill a larger role with. That he did in Utah starting 36 games in a year-and-a-half and averaging nine more minutes per game than he did in Atlanta.

Shelvin Mack
Sep 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Shelvin Mack (8) poses for a photo during media day at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

The only problem is when Jeff Teague was traded to the Indiana Pacers and Dennis Schroder was given the keys to the franchise, the Hawks needed a backup point guard in the dearest of ways. In essence, the team traded what could have been an extremely valuable piece to last season’s team before they realized they were going to need it.

Now Shelvin Mack will be on the market again, this time as an unrestricted free agent. As of right now the Hawks are betting everything on Malcolm Delaney evolving into an everyday backup point guard. However, a possible reunion with Atlanta and Shelvin Mack could change all of that for the better.

Mack has always been able to provide major sparks off the bench everywhere he has been. Obviously nothing jumps off the page as a role player, but his fundamentals have always been excellent. The capability of converting three pointers and the utilization of an entire offense is what makes Shelvin Mack such a consistent asset off the bench.

Hawks fans would certainly love to see Shelvin Mack return to Atlanta as he was a common fan favorite. Whether there’s still a warm spot in Mack’s heart for Atlanta as the first team to give him a real chance in the NBA will certainly play a factor in this potential free agency signing. If it were to happen, it would be a move that could greatly benefit both sides.