The Atlanta Hawks’ season has been over for quite some time but the NBA playoffs are just starting to ramp up. Hawks fans need to pay close attention, as many free agents this offseason are still playing and contributing in their quest for a championship.
Here are some potential acquisitions to keep your eye on over the next two months of playoff basketball:
Kevin Durant, Small Forward, Golden State Warriors & LeBron James, Small Forward, Cleveland Cavaliers
We can dream can’t we?
Clint Capela, Center, Houston Rockets
Being serious, Capela is one of the better fits for the Atlanta Hawks in this current free agent class. He is a rim running center that catches lobs and is a tenacious rebounder. He has shown the ability to compete with some of the elite centers in today’s game with 24 and 12 and 26 and 15 in games 1 and 5 against Minnesota and Karl Anthony Towns.
Then in their second round matchup against Utah, Capela outplayed likely Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert in game 1. Holding the Utah center to just 11 points and 9 total rebounds while Capela had 16 and 12 and total command of the paint.
Capela is an interesting fit with John Collins but if John develops the jumper that was tested throughout his rookie season the Hawks could be set in their frontcourt for years to come.
Nikola Mirotic, Power Forward, New Orleans Pelicans*
Mirotic has been one of the more surprising breakout players this postseason. He was always a valued contributor in Chicago but after being punched in the face by teammate Bobby Portis, he was traded to New Orleans and hasn’t looked back.
In the shocking first round sweep of Portland, Mirotic was electric. He had double digits in all four games including a playoff career-high 30 points in game 3. He has an elite shooting stroke that is perfect for today’s NBA and he fits very well next to Collins although the defense may be a little shaky.
*Mirotic has a team option for his contract next season and there is virtually no way New Orleans doesn’t pick it up, but technically he could still be a free agent so let’s roll with it.
Carmelo Anthony, Power Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder
Okay, I know what you’re thinking, “Melo?? He’s washed, did you see him in game 6 against Utah??,” and I 100% agree with you. Carmelo Anthony is old, inefficient and doesn’t seem very happy anywhere he is anymore, but hear me out! Oklahoma City just lost a brutal first round matchup and are going into this offseason in a major pretzel.
Paul George is probably gone and they do not want to be stuck paying Melo 28 million dollars(!!!). Technically this wouldn’t be a free agent signing, but Atlanta could call up OKC GM Sam Presti and offer a sign-and-trade (a la Chris Paul to the Rockets last offseason) in order to get Melo’s contract off the books while Atlanta could grab a nice asset in the process like Terrance Ferguson.
Finally, would it not be fun to see an aging superstar like Carmelo Anthony in a Hawks Jersey even if he had 1/3rd his normal talent?
Rodney Hood, Small Forward/Shooting Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers
Rodney Hood was one of the major mid-season acquisitions made by Cleveland in their teardown at the trade deadline. Hood is an average shooter from deep and has top-tier athleticism. He would be a nice piece to add to Atlanta’s growing chest of long and talented wings.
Atlanta might have to overpay a bit to get Hood but as long as we don’t get too crazy I think we’d be fine. One of the major concerns for Hood is his inability to stay on the floor as constant injuries to his right knee and lower back have caused him to miss significant time.
Next: 12 Possible Free Agency Targets for Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks still have a long way to go before the end of the tunnel but the right free agent signings along with nailing the draft are our best ways to shorten this long journey.