Atlanta Hawks: Grading Tony Snell’s season
Atlanta Hawks contract and season grades for Tony Snell
Contract grade
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As mentioned earlier, Snell had one of the worst contracts in the NBA if you look at it in the isolation of production against pay. However, as with most moves in the NBA, you have to look at the story behind the contract. Snell saved the Hawks money in the next season which is good.
With that being said, when you are paid over $12 million, you have to produce at a higher level than Snell did. He took the shots that he knew that he could make and play just well enough on defense., but not at the level required to keep him on the court.
Contract grade: D+
Season grade
Snell only played 47 of a possible 72 games this season, partially due to injury, and partially due to not producing at a high enough level. He was crucial to the club in February through the middle of March but a stretch of good games which was only about month-long is not good enough for a veteran like Snell.
The fact that Snell only scored five points in the time he got on the court for the playoffs is indicative of a player whose shooting form had gone off. It also meant that there was greater pressure on all those around him and a veteran, who is good enough, takes this pressure off their young teammates in these situations.
Season Grade: C-