12 Potential Targets in Free Agency for Atlanta Hawks
By Chris Guest
Dante Exum
Dante Exum came into the league as an 18-year-old a shocking 4 years ago and will be a restricted free agent this offseason for the Utah Jazz.
Exum suffered a shoulder injury in the preseason and underwent surgery, from which he just returned on March 15th. In only 8 games this season, Exum looks to be having his best season with career-highs in points (8.3) and assists (2.5) per game as well as a career-high 40 percent clip from downtown and a career-high 65.8 true shooting percentage.
Exum has been inconsistent throughout his career, but he could prove to be an important backup point guard for the Hawks if this quality play becomes the norm for the rest of his career. Depending on how Atalnta’s draft goes in the offseason, signing Exum could be another high-upside play for a roster lacking talent all over the court.
The Hawks’ need for a stable and talented backup point guard is apparent with Dennis Schröder out for the rest of the season, even though Isaiah Taylor has been a great story this year as the backup one guard. Exum would provide that in spades, and he also comes with an athletic, lanky 6’6” frame that could be switchable across 3-4 positions – something to take note of as today’s NBA becomes more and more perimeter-oriented.