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Atlanta Hawks: One Potential Free Agent Signing From Boston Celtics

By Dallin Duffy

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 22: Brad Wanamaker #9, Enes Kanter #11 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics look on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on December 22, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 22: Brad Wanamaker #9, Enes Kanter #11 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics look on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on December 22, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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Finding one potential player the Atlanta Hawks could sign away from the Boston Celtics.

Today we start a new series to help us get excited for the NBA off-season, which is now four months away. In the series, we’ll be looking at one potential free agent the Atlanta Hawks could sign away from every other team in the league.

Going by alphabetical order, the Boston Celtics are up first. Boston has a very future-proof roster, which made this exercise tough. Only point guard Brad Wanamaker will be leaving the team in unrestricted free agency unless Gordon Hayward declines his $34 million player option, which seems unlikely.

Enes Kanter (player) and Semi Ojeleye (team) also have options this off-season, but besides that, the Celtics won’t see many players leave unless it’s via trade.

For this purpose, we’ll be entertaining the idea of the Atlanta Hawks signing Brad Wanamaker when free agency opens in October.

Amazingly, the 30-year-old point guard is in just his second year in the league. After going undrafted in 2011 out of Pitt, Wanamaker quickly established himself as a solid player overseas, racking up accolades in various leagues across Europe and Asia.

The Celtics caught wind of his international profile and signed Wanamaker who made his debut in 2018 as a 29-year-old rookie. This year, He’s been Boston’s primary backup to Kemba Walker, attempting to fill the shoes that Terry Rozier left open.

While he didn’t reach the heights of Scary Terry, Wanamaker proved to be a serviceable guard off the bench. He scored 6.6 points per game on 42 percent shooting, leading the league in free throw percentage at 93 percent.

The assist to turnover ratio (2.5:1.1) isn’t exactly what you like to see from your point guard, but at the very least, he proved he can run the second unit of a successful team.

The Atlanta Hawks just so happen to have an open spot in the backup point guard position, and Wanamaker could bring that ability to Atlanta for likely fairly cheap.

We discussed last week the pros and cons of re-signing Jeff Teague to be that backup quarterback, but if they decide to go with an outside candidate, Wanaker could be a solid choice.

He’ll be turning 31 in a few days (same age as the 10-year veteran Teague) and won’t be a long-term option there, but could come in and run the second unit while they develop a rookie or until next year’s free-agent class.

Brad Wanamaker isn’t going to be atop of many “best free agents available” lists, but he could be a sneaky good singing this fall. For the Atlanta Hawks, who need a viable veteran-style point guard, he could be a fit.

Next. Bleacher Report suggests trading Clint Capela for Terry Rozier. dark

Do you think the Atlanta Hawks should sign Brad Wanamaker?