12 Potential Targets in Free Agency for Atlanta Hawks

Kyle Anderson

Kyle Anderson, or (as his amusing nickname would offer) “Slo Mo,” will become a restricted free agent this offseason with the San Antonio Spurs – again, meaning Greg Popovich and R.C. Buford would be able to match any offers he receives.

Though it is unlikely that any other team would get quite the same value out of Anderson that the regal Spurs do, Coach Bud is one possible head man who might. As a tenured assistant with the Spurs, Budenholzer might be able to pry the same effort out of Anderson that Pop gets on a night-to-night basis.

That effort would be a boon to Atlanta going forward, as Anderson’s strong all-around perimeter and help defense could change the culture of a young, up-and-coming team – as defense is usually not the strong suit of rebuilding franchises.

Anderson’s defensive rating per 100 possessions has never crept above 101, which is where it stands this season in over 1800 minutes played. That number would rank first on the Hawks by a wide margin, though some of that rating must be chalked up to the Spurs’ defensive system and great coaching staff.

Anderson is having something of a breakout season in an under-the-radar fashion, befitting a player with the moniker “Slo Mo.” Anderson has the highest PER (15.7), the highest win shares (5.7) and the highest true shooting percentage (58.2%) of his career. He is also averaging career-highs in every major category: points (7.9), rebounds (5.5), assists (2.8), steals (1.5) and blocks (0.8).