Taking a look at the Atlanta Hawks’ expiring deals and predicting if they’ll be on the team next season.
There’s only a month and some change remaining in the Atlanta Hawks’ season, and it’s nearly time to look ahead to the off-season.
Atlanta is set for a busy Summer, carrying both the league’s most cap space and (hopefully) a top draft pick into the break. With money and draft capitol to bring in new players, some of the Hawks’ currently full roster will have to go.
There are five (not counting the retiring Vince Carter) expiring contracts on the team: DeAndre’ Bembry, Jeff Teague, Damian Jones, Skal Labissière and Treveon Graham. We’ll be focusing on those below.
DeAndre’ Bembry
Bembry is the only player on this list that was originally signed by the Hawks, with the other four being trade acquisitions. Bembry was drafted by Atlanta in the first round back in 2016, and has yet to break out. After appearing in all 82 games a season ago, Bembry has dealt with injury issues this season, and seemed to on his way of the rotation while healthy.
Atlanta drafted Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter to be their wings of their future, and Bembry could look for more minutes elsewhere. He’ll be a restricted free agent so the Hawks will have the opportunity to measure his value before offering a deal of their own.
Prediction: The Hawks offer Bembry the qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent, and he signs a fair deal elsewhere, with the Hawks not matching.
Jeff Teague
Teague’s second run with the team would probably be seen in a lesser light if Teague wasn’t a built in fan favorite. His production has been up and down, but the veteran presence has been greatly appreciated.
I think the re-signing of Teague depends specifically on what the Hawks do in the Draft. If Atlanta drafts a young point guard such as LaMelo Ball or Killian Hayes, the need for Teague lessens greatly. If they go big at the Draft, I think Teague is a good, likely fairly cheap option to work as Trae’s back up. Personally I don’t think the Hawks will draft a guard, so that affects my prediction below.
Prediction: Teague re-signs on a 1-year, $3-6 million deal
Skal Labissière
This one is hard, as Skal has yet to suit up for the Hawks since being acquired at the deadline. He’s due back in a few weeks, giving him just enough time for a quick try-out. Comments made by Travis Schlenk after the deadline suggest that he’ll want the former first-rounder in Atlanta in the future.
The Hawks’ GM said that he’d tried to trade for Labissière “multiple times” in the past, even before he took the job in Atlanta.
Travis Schlenk said he has tried to acquire Skal Labissiere multiple times even dating back to when he was with Golden State.
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) February 9, 2020
Schelnk is running the ship, and obviously has his eye on Skal.
Prediction: Skal Labissière signs multi-year deal with Atlanta
Treveon Graham
Graham may have lucked out with the timing of this post, as while he’s not played very well overall
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in Atlanta, is coming off easily his best game.
I could see Graham sticking around with either a minimum or near-minimum deal, as it seems Lloyd Pierce trusts him as a wing defender. I don’t expect to see him back if the team re-signs Bembry, however he could still be used as depth if the team drafts a wing.
Prediction: Graham signs a cheap deal if Bembry leaves.
Damian Jones
Not much to say here. The writing’s on the wall for Jones who can’t work himself into the rotation with three centers hurt. He won’t be on the Hawks next year, and he could have a hard time finding a role in the NBA.
Prediction: Damian Jones will not be on the Hawks next season.
In a vacuum I do think the most likely player to be back is Skal Labissière, as he’s the only one with a public endorsement from the GM. Outside of Damian Jones, who is good as gone, I think Bembry has a good chance of moving on, with a fresh start perhaps being mutually beneficial.
The Hawks’ final 20 games will be a proving ground for these players, and are among the most interesting players to watch on the team because of that.
Atlanta next plays on Monday, March 2nd, taking on the Memphis Grizzlies at home.