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The Atlanta Hawks should keep tabs on Isaiah Briscoe in the Big 3

ByJoshua Buckhalter|
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 17: Isaiah Briscoe #13 of Trilogy drives to the basket against Kevin Murphy #55 of 3 Headed Monsters in the first half during the second week of the BIG3 at the Orleans Arena on July 17, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Morris/Getty Images for BIG3)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 17: Isaiah Briscoe #13 of Trilogy drives to the basket against Kevin Murphy #55 of 3 Headed Monsters in the first half during the second week of the BIG3 at the Orleans Arena on July 17, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Morris/Getty Images for BIG3)

Former Atlanta Hawks players Joe Johnson and Josh Smith had our attention last weekend as the former teammates faced off in Week 1 of the Big 3. It was a good duel with Johnson’s Trilogy besting Smith’s Bivouac. For what it’s worth Johnson set the league record for points in a game with 34 (in a win) on Saturday while Smith will take the court Sunday.

But it’s Isaiah Briscoe of Trilogy that could be of interest to Hawks fans. The 6-foot-3 former Kentucky Wildcat spent time in the G-League last season with the Timberwolves affiliate and has been effective overseas.

He’s burst onto the scene, albeit to some controversy, as the youngest player in the league typically for retired players.

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Briscoe is just 25 and obviously thirsty to prove he can play.

A knee injury cut his tenure with the Magic short and his roster spot was given to Michael Carter-Williams. But Briscoe had some decent outings coming off the bench. His best was a nine-point, seven-assist outing against the Bucks back in 2019.

Trilogy made him the fifth pick in the second round of the ‘SuperDraft’ and he immediately made an impact. Briscoe exploded with 28 points and six rebounds in his first game.

That outburst was followed up by a less spectacular (but still very solid) 13-point, five-board outing in Week 2. He was the team’s leading scorer in each game, both of which were wins.

The negative is that he only has three total assists and it has never really been a strength to be a playmaker though, as mentioned, he has flashed some ability.

It’s his defense, however, that should have him on the Hawks radar.

Briscoe’s length and athleticism have always allowed him to jump passing lanes and even make up for being caught flat-footed. His issue was giving consistent effort on that side of the ball though. For what it’s worth, his energy has been better so far in the Big 3.

And Nate McMillan has been good at coaxing the best out of his guards. From getting Trae Young and Lou Williams to play more like traditional point guards to getting much-needed playmaking out of Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter, McMillan has been a guard whisperer. He would make a great mentor for Briscoe too.

The Hawks could very well fill the backup point guard void with a veteran free agent and/or rookie. But that doesn’t preclude them from taking a look at a young, cheap option that has never lacked talent.