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Atlanta Hawks: 3 ‘plan b’ free-agent options to explore

By Joshua Buckhalter

Jun 13, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) drives to the net against Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (12) in the fourth quarter during game four in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) drives to the net against Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (12) in the fourth quarter during game four in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks ‘plan b’’ free agent No. 1: Will Barton could be the perfect super-sub

It was an interesting season for Will Barton and the Nuggets. Barton shot a career-high 38.1 percent from outside while making the second-most starts of his career. He missed all but three games in the Nuggets postseason run dealing with a hamstring injury that cost him the final 13 regular-season games.

Barton was still effective, averaging 16.3 points on 44.2 percent shooting from the floor and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.

For the season, he averaged 12.7/4.0/3.2 and slashed .426/.381/.785 in 31 minutes per game.

The playing time is the biggest hurdle, outside of Denver re-signing him of course, is giving him what he has reportedly felt is lacking: appreciation. He wants that in the form of financial security after turning down his $14 million player option.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1402806406089043972?s=19

Under one of the many scenarios laid out by talking heads this offseason, the Hawks package up some of their younger talents to pry a premier talent away from a struggling franchise. That would create a need that Atlanta might not want to entrust to a rookie. Barton would bring shot-making but, more than, shot creation (mostly) for himself and others.

He’s also an option to play 1-3, with his experience running point a potentially key chip in negotiations. Atlanta can sell him on getting on the floor more even if he isn’t starting by being a first off the bench and then getting to run the second unit.

Quietly, Barton had more defensive win shares than offensive in two of the past three seasons and would be a challenge for any opposing point guard he switched onto.

A bench with him and Kevin Huerter or Cam Reddish on the wings would be extremely versatile and downright unfair if they somehow roster all three. And lineups with the and Young together wouldn’t allow for the blitzing of the latter we saw in the playoffs when we called for a secondary playmaker.