Atlanta Hawks: Tony Snell will help when he returns

Tony Snell is not for from playing his first game for the Atlanta Hawks and his insertion into the lineup will help this team.

The Atlanta Hawks traded Dewayne Dedmon to the Detroit Pistons and in return received Khyri Thomas and Tony Snell. The Hawks would then waive Thomas and then keep Snell who is a really solid 3-and-D wing player.

Snell, who was taken with the 20th pick in the 2013 draft spent his first three seasons with the Chicago Bulls. He was then traded to the Milwaukee Bucks where he would help space the floor for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks would then trade Snell to the Pistons for Jon Leuer, and a year later the Hawks would receive Snell from the Pistons. Though all of this Snell has averaged 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.  While these numbers may not appear to be franchise-changing, there is a reason Snell is a sought after commodity.

The Atlanta Hawks will benefit from Tony Snell’s efficiency

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Despite being traded four times in eight seasons, Snell has been able to shoot the 3-ball at 38.5 percent for his career. Last season, in a Pistons offense that was struggling, he was able to shoot the 3-ball at 40.2 percent over the season.

He is more than happy to space the floor, shooting 3.2 of his  5.5 shots per game from behind the arc. Due to his percentages from deep, his shot must be respected, helping open up the floor for Trae Young and others to go to work. Just imagine having a player who has shot the 3-ball at almost 40 percent for his career in the recent Charlotte Hornets game.

Add to this he has also made a career defending small forwards in the NBA. While I think De’Andre Hunter is going to be an amazing player in the future, if he does not have to try and stop Gordon Hayward who is having a career night, then Hunter may be able to help more on offense.

If nothing else, Snell is going to add a veteran presence which this young team is lacking on the floor at the moment. He is listed as day-by-day and so should suit up soon and help this Hawks team arrest their current losing skid.