Soaring Down South
Fansided

Atlanta Hawks 2018 Free Agency Wish List

By Chris Guest

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 06: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets controls the ball in the second half during Game Four of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rockets beat the Jazz 100-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 06: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets controls the ball in the second half during Game Four of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rockets beat the Jazz 100-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – FEBRUARY 14: Josh Huestis (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – FEBRUARY 14: Josh Huestis (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Quality Defensive Players – Josh Huestis, Treveon Graham, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

One thing the Hawks are not expected to be in the 2018-19 season is a defensive powerhouse. Each of the three players they selected in the 2018 Draft are defensive negatives at this point in their career (i.e. coming out of college), and the team’s numbers last season were less-than-stellar.

Though new coach Lloyd Pierce has preached that a defensive mindset is his top priority, the Hawks just don’t have the personnel on the roster at this juncture to practice what Pierce preaches.

Perhaps the team will look to bolster their defensive abilities in free agency, where Josh Huestis, Treveon Graham and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will all be available on the free agent market.

Despite being in the league for 5 seasons, KCP is still only 25 years old, and if he were to sign in Atlanta, he would be returning home as he was born in Greenville, Georgia and played his college ball at the University of Georgia. If he were willing to take a hometown haircut on his next contract, the Hawks should definitely take an interest in his shooting and defensive ability on the perimeter.

Huestis was a defensive terror on the Thunder last season, as his length and athleticism made him an impact player on that end of the floor. He did not bring much on offense, however, which might be an issue for Travis Schelnk and company.

Treveon Graham, while not putting up extremely enticing numbers last season in his sophomore campaign, was a rock-solid three-and-D wing, and he should be available for a relatively bargain deal. Still only 24, Graham would be an excellent defensive-minded three-point marksman for the team in 2018-19.