Taking an early look at eight free agent targets for the Atlanta Hawks.
It’s never too early to look ahead to the off-season, and with the Atlanta Hawks’ season dwindling down, now is as of a good time as ever. We’ve already looked at their 2020 Draft profile, and here we’ll be taking a look at soon-to-be free agents that the Hawks could look to sign.
Atlanta will enter with the league’s most cap space this summer, and only have a few players on expiring deals, none of which will be very expensive to bring back if they do so. The 2020 free agency class is considered to be the weakest in some time however, and the Hawks could want to save their money for 2021.
On the contrary, the Hawks have not been shy about wanting to compete for the playoffs next season, and while the current roster could probably come close to the 8th seed while completely healthy, more help is always appreciated.
There are a few studs in this year’s class that would really help jump start the team’s future, but we’ve seen some teams in the past get hurt by trying to accelerate their rebuild by spending all their cash.
It’ll definitely be an entertaining Summer for Hawks fans, and for now we can sit back and look at these potential free agent targets.
Paul Millsap
It’s hard to believe, but its already been nearly three full years since Paul Millsap left the ATL. Millsap, who made the All-Star team in each of his four years with the Hawks, cashed in big with the Denver Nuggets, but never lived up to the $90 million price tag.
He’ll be 35 this summer, and likely looking for his final NBA contract. Although not on the level of his glory days in Atlanta, he can still play, averaging 12.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and nearly a steal per game while shooting over 43 percent from three this season.
He’s still an excellent interior defender, which we all know the Hawks desperately need help with. The fan favorite could return to Atlanta on a modest multi-year deal. A two-year deal worth $12-15 million could lock up John Collins‘ back up role for the next two seasons, and have his money off the books when it’s time to open the checkbook for Trae Young.
The veteran could look to join a contender in perhaps a smaller role, but could also return to the Hawks to help them once again compete for a playoff spot.
Kris Dunn
Say what you will about the former 5th overall pick, but Kris Dunn knows how to defend. The soon-to-be restricted free agent has averaged just 8.3 points per game in his career, and has shot just 25 percent from three this season, but the Hawks don’t need backcourt scoring. They need backcourt defense.
Dunn could work as Trae Young’s antithesis off the bench, and potentially even play crunch time minutes in close games with his stout defense. Running the second team would be a nice change for Dunn, who’s been asked to be a starter most of his career despite never playing like one.
Signing Dunn likely means the Hawks move on from Jeff Teague and/or Brandon Goodwin, and don’t draft a point guard in the Draft. He’s also a restricted free agent, and if the Hawks really want him, they’ll likely need to offer more than he’s actually worth.
Dunn hasn’t played since January 31st with a knee injury that will cost him the rest of the season. With rookie Coby White looking like a stud in Chi-town, the Bulls could be ready to move on from the 25-year-old Dunn.
Andre Roberson
Andre Roberson hasn’t played for over two years now, suffering multiple setbacks in this recovery from a torn patellar tendon. He seems determined to play again in the league, and is on pace to play sometime during next season if there are no further setbacks.
He’ll also have the chance to play where ever he wants, entering free agency this summer. Like Kris Dunn above, Roberson has made a name for himself across the league by being a dominant, ball-stopping defender. The 2013 first-round pick appeared on the 2017 All-Defensive team, and if healthy, probably would have made more.
Despite being a near non-factor on offensive and coming off a major injury, teams are going to be calling simply because of his tenacious defense.
The Hawks are among the worst defensive teams in the league, and will be no doubt looking for help in that field. He’s been rehabbing with the OKC Thunder most of the time while injured however, and a reunion there is more likely and more deserved.
If he does hit the open market, he’s worth a flier.
Joe Harris
The Atlanta Hawks have shot just 33.1 percent from three this season, dead last in the league. Joe Harris, the 28-year-old sniper could certainly help the Hawks there.
Harris has a career 42 percent clip from three, and shot a league best 47 percent from deep a season ago. He can shoot from anywhere on the court, and doesn’t even have to been open. The marksman consistently drains threes with a hand in his face.
While not as stout as Roberson or Dunn defensively, Harris has been labeled a 3-and-D wing by some, and he has a better defensive rating this season than current Hawks Kevin Huerter, Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter.
He’d bring Atlanta the best outside shooting they’ve had since Kyle Korver, and his lethal three demands attention from defenders, which would hopefully alleviate some pressure off of Trae Young.
Harris has been a consistent starter for the past two years in Brooklyn, and the Hawks might have to give him Huerter or Hunter’s starting spot to convince him to sign. He’ll also be 29 when free agency hits, and will probably be looking for that one big payday most NBA role players get, which often leads to some overpays.
Davis Bertans
Dāvis Bertāns is similar to Joe Harris in a lot of ways; a true three-point marksman who plays B-grade defense. Bertans is much larger however, at at 6’10 can (and has) play the three, four, or five for a team.
The 2011 second round pick took his time coming to the NBA, but was worth the wait. Since joining the league in 2016 he’s been a constant threat from beyond the arch, earning the ‘Latvian Laser’ nickname. As a sixth man in Washington this year, he’s made 42 percent of his 8.6 three-point attempts per game. Only three players average more makes from deep than him this season.
The Hawks don’t have a starting spot for him, but he could be a very fun backup for John Collins or De’Andre Hunter if he accepts another off-the-bench role.
He can create his own threes as well as work as a catch-and-shoot guy, and if he ever shared the court with Trae Young, would instantly make the defense play way out to 30+ feet.
https://twitter.com/NBCSWizards/status/1235432119305789440
He’s at the top of my personal wish list for the Hawks this Summer, and Atlanta Hawks GM Travis Schlenk should take a look at him if they don’t draft a big.
Josh Jackson
Drafted 15 spots ahead of John Collins in the 2017 NBA Draft, Josh Jackson has yet to live up to the billing of a fourth overall pick. The Suns cut bait with him after just two seasons, trading him to Memphis last Summer, who stuck J.J in the G-League.
Since joining the NBA squad in January, Jackson has been inconsistent, but impressive in select games. He scored 20 points on 9-12 shooting against the Lakers, and 19 points in 16 minutes of play earlier this week against Brooklyn.
He was supposed to be a stout defender coming out of Kansas, which has yet to show up in the NBA, but he’s already scoring better than most expected. The 23-year-old is obviously improving, albeit slowly, and would be worth a flier for any young team like the Hawks.
Even just a one year deal for Jackson while they wait for the 2021 free agent class would be smart for the Hawks, who could use his effort defense and occasionally hot three-point scoring.
There’s still a chance Jackson becomes a worthwhile NBA player, and someone is going to give him that chance this summer. He’s very low-risk but could provide a huge ceiling.
DeMar DeRozan
As mentioned earlier, this is not the usual free agency class with loads of superstars. Anthony Davis is the lone big ticket item, and he seems way too happy in L.A to consider moving.
After a significant drop off there are a few other All-Star caliber players, including a four-time selection in DeMar DeRozan. If the Atlanta Hawks cash out and make a splash this summer, I think DeRozan is the most likely candidate.
The ever-capable scorer would be a very intriguing fit next to Trae Young in the backcourt. He’s still among the NBA’s best when it comes to creating his own shot, giving Atlanta two very dangerous guards.
DeRozan has essentially given up on a three-point ball since joining the Spurs, but in Atlanta he would finally not be the first option on offense night in and night out. It could open the doors to more catch-and-shoot threes, which he drained over 31 percent of in ’17-’18 with the Raptors.
He’s a so-so defender whose output on that end usually depends on his effort level. That’s not a great fit with Atlatna’s already lackluster defense, but doubling down and becoming a true offensive team is interesting. It doesn’t matter how much the other team scores if you out-score them.
DeRozan owns a player option for next season, but with San Antonio looking ready to start a rebuild, it wouldn’t be surprising for him to opt out. He should be able to get around the $27 million the player option would net him on the open market, perhaps via the Hawks.
John Henson
Last but not least we have John Henson, the 29-year-old big man. The Atlanta Hawks seemed to lock down their center rotation of the future by adding Clint Capela and Dewayne Dedmon to Bruno Fernando, but if they wanted to sure up that spot more, John Henson could be a nice piece.
The defensive stud can play power forward along with the center position, and would be a nice player behind John Collins. Henson is a exceptional shot blocker and playing alongside Capela or Dedmon would have the Hawks healthily protecting the rim. He’s averaged 1.4 blocks per game in his career, despite averaging less than 20 minutes per game.
He’s not much of a scorer, and he can’t stretch the floor with 19 career threes made. Playing alongside Capela on offense would limit the Atlanta Hawks’ offense tremendously.
Still, if the Hawks are in the market for a semi-affordable defensive big man, Henson could be the best in that market. He signed a four-year, $48 million deal with Milwaukee back in 2016, and should be in line for a similar number this summer.