DeAndre’ Bembry
If DeAndre’ Bembry was ever going to have a breakout season, this was going to be that season. It was on the heels of his best season to date and was the first “contract season” of his career.
He was essentially the Hawks’ sixth man to start the season, averaging over 20 minutes per game off the bench. Even as a leader of the second unit, Bembry struggled this season, failing to take strides from last season while also dealing with injuries.
Bembry’s numbers were down across the board, averaging fewer points, blocks, and rebounds than last year in similar minutes. While his field goal percentage as a whole did rise a bit, his three-point percentage dropped to 23 percent, the lowest since his rookie season.
He was never an offensive stalwart and was always more skilled on the other end. He’s not super athletic, but plays effort D and is a good energy guy. That skillset really showed last season when he was easily the Hawks’ best perimeter defender, but he took a step back in that department this season as well.
With rooks Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter both looking like defensive studs, it seems unlikely that Bembry finds his way back to the team next season.
The 25-year-old wing will hit restricted free agency this summer and has enough defensive potential for some team to offer up a modest deal, which I doubt the Hawks will match.
A good showing from Bembry this season and he could have cemented himself as a bench piece going forward, but with the Hawks roster already pretty full, and with free agency and the draft coming their way, Bembry played himself right off the team.