How Lou Williams can help the Atlanta Hawks
When the Atlanta Hawks signed Rajon Rondo in the offseason, they were looking for a backup point guard to keep the offense moving when Trae Young had a rest. It is safe to say that Rondo did not work out so the Hawks traded him prior to the deadline for Lou Williams, two future second-round draft picks, and cash.
With the Hawks getting Rondo off their books, they look good to re-sign John Collins, but that is a problem for another day. What the Hawks have done is replaced a player who did not fit with the team with one who could take away the biggest issue the Hawks have.
This problem has been there since the Hawks handed the keys of the franchise to Young, the team’s offensive output declines sharply when he is not on the floor. It is a good thing for the Hawks that Williams has never had a problem producing points.
How the Atlanta Hawks can best deploy Lou Williams.
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As stated earlier, the Hawks have struggled to maintain any offensive momentum when their superstar point guard goes to the bench. This season has been no different despite the Hawks trying Rondo, Brandon Goodwin, and Skylar Mays.
No one has been able to unlock the second unit with the exception of Kevin Huerter and he has had to step up into the starting five for a good part of the season. This is where the all-out offense of Williams will benefit the Hawks.
Williams is a bit of a sieve on defense but more than makes up for it on the other end. His ability to create something out of nothing will keep every second unit guessing, meaning that Danilo Gallinari will have more space to work in. Defenders could cheat off Rondo outside the arc but this is something they will not dare do against Williams.
If Williams is given a license to shoot from anywhere, then he will wreak havoc with opposition defenses and create so many open looks. Look for him to try and create a level of chemistry with Onyeka Okongwu in a similar manner as he did with Montrezl Harrell.
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This has the potential to make the Hawks a contender if Williams can return to his Sixth Man of the Year form, an award he has won three times.