Atlanta Hawks: 8 Free Agents in Playoffs Hawks Could Sign in Offseason
By Chris Guest
Patrick McCaw
One area where the Atlanta Hawks must improve is defense in the backcourt. Who knows if rookie Jaylen Adams will be around on this team next season to continue to back up Trae Young, but one thing’s certain – neither player is a particularly good defender simply due to being undersized.
Patrick McCaw of the Toronto Raptors, who was also drafted by the Warriors under the stewardship of Assistant Warriors GM and current Atlanta Hawks GM Travis Schlenk, would certainly make for a terrific defensive upgrade in the backcourt over Young, Adams and even Kent Bazemore – who had something of a down year this season.
McCaw is a Top-40 player at shooting guard in ESPN’s defensive real plus/minus, and his career 2.5 defensive win shares greatly outweigh his offensive win shares. McCaw will have to prove himself as a better three-point shooter during his Atlanta Hawks tenure, since the team’s modern offensive system suits players who are willing to hike up long-range bombs at every position.
A career 29 percent shooter from deep on a substantial 43.3 percent three-point attempt rate, McCaw’s three-point shooting will be his sink-or-swim skill on whatever team he lands on this offseason. Despite poor shooting numbers, the Hawks would be a good fit for McCaw’s defensive talents.