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Atlanta Hawks: One Potential Free Agency Signing From Detroit Pistons

By Dallin Duffy

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 25: John Henson #31 of the Detroit Pistons grabs a rebound against Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on February 25, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 25: John Henson #31 of the Detroit Pistons grabs a rebound against Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on February 25, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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Finding one player the Atlanta Hawks could sign away from the Detroit Pistons.

Continuing to find one player from every team the Atlanta Hawks could sign this off-season by taking a look at the Detroit Pistons’ books. The team has quite a few players headed towards unrestricted free agency, including breakout player Christian Wood, who’s likely to get a huge deal this fall.

The Hawks’ frontcourt is too full for them to spend the money Wood will likely get on another piece, but the Pistons also have a cheaper power forward coming off the books that could work as a supplementary piece in Atlanta.

That’s John Henson, the veteran big man who was included in the move that sent Andre Drummond to Cleveland. Henson is a tried and true defensive role player, one that should see a decent amount of offers in October. 

While he can play both the four and the five, the Hawks have three centers (Clint Capela, Dewayne Dedmon, and Bruno Fernando) likely to see solid playtime next season and Henson would be best used as a bench four behind John Collins.

As a backup power forward, Henson would provide solid rim-protection, as Henson is a shot-blocking ace. He’s averaged 1.4 rejections per game in his career, 1.1 this past season in 15.0 minutes per contest.

While Dedmon and Collins have their moments, Capela is the only true paint defender on the team at the moment, and Henson would help sure up the Hawks’ defense down low.

Nagging injuries and inconsistent play on offense will keep his price down on the market, and the Hawks should take a look at Henson as a stop-gap backup if they don’t find one in the draft.

Atlanta is still one of the youngest teams in the league and adding the 29-year-old to the bench and locker room would be one of the biggest positives from the signing.

Next. Season Report Card: Trae Young. dark

Should the Atlanta Hawks sign John Henson this off-season?