The Atlanta Hawks have been up and down defensively over the last 13 games since they started their winning streak against the Milwaukee Bucks back on the 17th of January. It is not a coincidence that this was when their key defenders came back into the lineup.
During this time when the Hawks win they are able to hold their opponents to 108.8 points per game. However, when they lose the Hawks are giving up 115 points per game. This is too many for a team that is looking to compete for a playoff berth.
The offense still needs Trae Young to be on the floor to perform at its best, what unfolded in the recent Boston Celtics game shows that De’Andre Hunter is just as crucial for the defense. The Hawks were on top until Hunter picked up three quick fouls on either side of the halftime break. He was forced to the bench meaning that the Celtics stars had more open looks.
This is where the Atlanta Hawks need a second defensive wing
After standing pat at the deadline the Hawks still have an ace in the hole with an open roster spot. They were able to achieve this via the trade they made with the New York Knicks where they sent Cam Reddish and Solomon Hill, receiving Kevin Knox in return.
Unfortunately for the Hawks, Knox is not as strong defensively as they want to take on the main wing players of the opposition. This is where the Hawks need to have a player on the bench who can come on if Hunter is in foul trouble or out of the game for any other reason.
This is where a reunion with DeAndre’ Bembry would benefit the Atlanta Hawks franchise. Bembry spent his first four seasons with the Hawks before signing as a free agent with the Toronto Raptors. He was waived by the Raptors in the offseason and signed with the Brooklyn Nets a few days later.
Bembry was just waived by the Brooklyn Nets to make room for the roster additions that came with Ben Simmons via trade. The Hawks could use a player with Bembry’s defensive talents to lock down the wings of the opposition on a nightly basis, potentially allowing Hunter to get more rest time during games.
Bembry is never going to fill the box score on a nightly basis, that is not his skill set. What he is going to do is reduce the efficiency of the opposition and this is where the Hawks need the help at the moment.