Atlanta Hawks: 3 players that should have been signed this offseason

The Atlanta Hawks dominated free agency headlines with all of their offseason moves; here are three other players they should’ve grabbed.

Now that the initial wave of free agency news has died down, the Atlanta Hawks emerged as a team that got significantly better. Some think that this new-look Hawks roster is ready for the playoffs in an eastern conference that will see the return of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and that now welcomes Russell Westbrook. Let’s take a look at three players the Atlanta Hawks should have signed to become even more competitive than they are right now.

Jerami Grant (Detroit Pistons)

As a member of the Denver Nuggets, Jerami Grant made a name for himself on the big “bubble” stage, helping to push Denver to the Western Conference Finals in a turn of events that no one could’ve predicted. Averaging 12 points, 4 rebounds, and an assist last year, many believed Grant would be moved to a contending team in free agency, to help them push for a championship. He’s instead now a member of the Detroit Pistons.

Jerami Grant, had he been signed to the Atlanta Hawks, would’ve immediately provided defensive relief for one of the worst defensive teams in the league. A capable scorer as well, at just 26 years old, Grant could’ve been a great player to pair with Trae Young for years to come. While Detroit surely overpaid for Grant, I think the Hawks might’ve been able to lure him to Atlanta for less.

Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)

The past few years have been a rollercoaster for Bradley Beal, but when he’s healthy and on the floor, we all can agree that he knows how to shoot and score the basketball. Those two things have been major deficiencies in the Atlanta Hawks’ gameplay since before drafting Trae Young.

Adding a player like Beal would’ve relieved pressure on Young, who was the only player on their previous roster who could create his own shot. Instead, Beal stays in Washinton, now paired with Russell Westbrook, on a team that no one has grand expectations for.

Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns)

It was no secret that the Atlanta Hawks needed to go out and find talent at the point guard position to supplement what they have in Trae Young. With Young being the franchise player, many speculated about seasoned veterans that the Hawks might try to pursue in free agency. Chris Paul spent last season reminding the entire NBA once again that he is still a premier point guard in the league, and is still incredibly valuable at the age of 35.

Paul dragged a young Oklahoma City Thunder team to the playoffs in a year where the odds against them had never been greater. The Atlanta Hawks secured Rajon Rondo but Chris Paul provides more value both offensively and defensively, while still providing the mentorship and leadership that Trae Young and the rest of the Hawks roster will need to succeed in the future. He’ll now provide that value for Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns. Granted, this whole scenario could’ve been different had the Hawks drafted Paul in 2005 as they should have, but here we are.

The Atlanta Hawks, despite not making these moves, are now increasingly better than they were at the start of the free agency period. We’ll see if the moving and shaking they did pushes them into the playoffs as they might hope, or if they need to try to make another move before the deadline.