Khris Middleton
Another major need for the Atlanta Hawks is wing depth. Once again, that is something that every team is looking for, but the Atlanta Hawks will (hopefully) be able to add players that fit this mold via the draft this offseason.
However, if they opt to go in another direction, perhaps signing Khris Middleton of the Bucks would fit the team’s timeline as well. Though Middleton is already 27 (and will be 28 before next season begins), his three-and-D skill set would help paper over the lack of defensive personnel the Atlanta Hawks have acquired so far in its rebuild.
Middleton has a player option for next season with Milwaukee, but it seems likely that he will opt out in order to test the market around the league. After being named to the All-Star game for the first time, Middleton’s services will probably be in high regard.
And why not? A career 38 percent shooter from beyond the arc, Middleton is averaging career-highs in rebounds and assists per game while producing 18.1 points per game on 55.6 true shooting percent with a career-high 24.7 usage rate. Middleton has been known to make a big shot or two, as this insanely deep spot-up prayer in last year’s playoff series against the Celtics indicates:
In this scenario, the Atlanta Hawks would likely look to add wing depth via the draft rather than a bloated contract in free agency. Still though, Middleton might be worth a look.