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Atlanta Hawks: Did the competition catch up in free agency?

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 28: Delon Wright #55 of the Detroit Pistons blocks a shot by Cam Reddish #22 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena on December 28, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 28: Delon Wright #55 of the Detroit Pistons blocks a shot by Cam Reddish #22 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena on December 28, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks: Grading the competition No. 2: The Hornets took some risks this offseason

The Charlotte Hornets got solid grades on draft night for taking UConn’s James Bouknight with the 11th pick in the draft. It was the latest in a string of moves by the franchise that look a lot stronger than those in its early years. Even some of their recent draft picks such as Miles Bridges have developed into contributors.

Charlotte was more active during free agency than Orlando, but they certainly took more risk along with it.

Mason Plumlee (actually added during a draft-night trade that also netted JT Thor) is expected to step in as the starting center. The 31-year-old comes in after averaging 10.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while starting 56 games for the Pistons. And with just two years and $16 million left on his contract, he isn’t the problem.

Kelly Oubre is another story entirely. This is a signing that could truly go either way.

If Oubre is nothing more than a reserve, he is an expensive one. But his perimeter defense will be valuable enough to not seat it too much. If he’s expected to be a starter for an extended period it could get ugly.

But even that isn’t cut and dry because he showed he can get hot from outside, shooting 43 percent from deep in 15 games (all starts) in February. He slumped in March but hit 36.4 percent of his triples in 10 games (five starts) during April.

The question is which one will the Hornets get because his freelancing can stifle his own offense as his defense does to opponents’.

Charlotte gets a ‘C+’ overall with a shot for more if Oubre pans out.

They brought in Ish Smith from the rival Wizards and got Wes Iwundu in the trade that sent Devonte’ Graham to New Orleans.

The question is do all of these moves make up for Graham, Malik Monk, and Cody Zeller. It’s not that these are big names. But this team was the fifth seed at one point during the season.