With the Atlanta Hawks firmly entrenched at the bottom of the standings, Hawks fans, among fellow lottery-bound teams’ fans, are closely fixated on the mock draft season that is upon us.
While mock drafts are a fun way to see who might be added to the team next year, free agency is just as interesting. If all goes well, this will be the worst year for the Hawks in their current rebuild. While they won’t be fully opening the checkbook, they could look to add a few veterans to supplement the young prospects they obtain in the draft.
Here are 4 upcoming free agents the Atlanta Hawks might take a look at.
Kyle O’Quinn
O’Quinn signed a 4-year deal back in 2015, and he has been one of the only survivors of the Phil Jackson era in New York. While he does have a player option for next season, should he want to get out of the near-constant losing in New York, or seek more money, there’s a good chance he hits the open market in July.
The former second-round pick is quietly having a decent year for the Knicks, averaging career highs in minutes (17.5) and rebounds (5.8) while providing a serviceable 1.2 blocks a game.
O’Quinn could slide into a similar role Dewayne Dedmon held this season (who also has a player option) and while he’s not much of a scorer, he’s a big body to put down low to help grab rebounds and protect the rim. He also rocks a pretty sweet beard.
If the center opts out of his contract, the Hawks could be interested.
Quincy Acy
Acy, who recently got in an almost violent encounter with Andre Drummond, seems like he’s been around forever, but in reality, he’s just finishing up his fifth season. It may seem this way because he’s been a solid minutes contributor since his rookie season, and he’s also been on five teams in the same amount of seasons.
The journeyman could be a nice fit on an Atlanta team hurting for some veteran leadership. He’s someone that could be a solid piece off the bench and is slowly developing his perimeter shooting more, taking 4.1 threes a game this year (at hitting them at a solid 34%), well above his career rate of 1.5. Not that this is that important, but Acy also has a pretty dope beard.
Acy could be a cheap addition to a second unit that is in desperate need of help. A signing of the forward could help the Hawks focus on guards with their draft picks.
Alex Len
The former fifth overall pick has not panned out too well in Phoenix. While he is currently having his best personal season, his overall strong campaign is being drowned out by the Suns’ abject atrociousness. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and has made it crystal clear that he wants out of Arizona.
If GM Travis Schlenk wants to take a chance on a center who’s still only 24 currently, he would probably have to open the bank a bit more than some fans would hope. But if Len does continue to develop, Atlanta could have a center for the future to put alongside rising stars Taurean Prince and John Collins. And even if he’s already hit his ceiling, 7-foot-1 centers don’t grow on trees, and Len could be an above-average option to fill the starting five spot for the Hawks.
If Atlanta doesn’t get a top big man prospect in the draft, Len could be a nice name to take a chance on.
Isaiah Thomas
Now hear me out on this one.
No player has lost more money in the past calendar year than IT. After being well on his way to a max contract with the Celtics, he sustained an injury which not only ended his season, but also his tenure in Boston.
Whether because of his departure from the coaching wizardry of Brad Stevens and Boston, or because of his lingering injuries, Thomas didn’t come close to recapturing the magic from last year. In fact, he was pretty bad for the Cavs before being traded to LA and played a bit better there, but still not up to his standards set in Boston.
Now, after another season-ending injury, the relentless scorer will most likely be looking for a new team this July.
Why would the Hawks want him? And would he even want to go to Atlanta? First off, IT may be in desperation mode this offseason, and while he may get a minimum offer from a contender, he is still seeking his first big paycheck, and according to the aftermath of the trade to the Lakers, his agent is adamant that will be a starter.
Taking a one-year, “prove-it” deal similar to what Nerlens Noel did last season (which didn’t really work out for him) might be Thomas’s only move, and Atlanta could be the perfect place for him to show that he still has a place in the league.
Dennis Schröder was reportedly on the trade block at the trade deadline, and it’s unclear if Schlenk thinks he’s the Hawks’ point guard of the future. All that to say, if they flip him for assets this offseason, it would open up a starting spot for Thomas.
Atlanta could be interested in providing the point guard a stage for his comeback for three main reasons. First, if Schlenk is serious about staying competitive through the rebuild, Thomas could be a competent player to help keep games close while they develop their young talent more. Second, attendance in Phillips Arena is dismal and a marquee player like Thomas is bound to draw in more ticket sales. Lastly, if he does end up playing well again, he could be a decent trade piece they can flip into more assets for the future.
Next: Atlanta Hawks Mock Draft 3.0
Overall, it might not be ideal for the Washington product, but taking a “prove-it” deal in Atlanta could end up being a realistic spot, even if just for one year.