The Atlanta Hawks have been on a reasonable tear lately where they are starting to get their season back on track. However, they still have an issue with giving up too many points in a single quarter without being able to score themselves.
In the recent game against the Boston Celtics, the Hawks gave up 42 points in the third period. The problem with that, apart from it being a major defensive breakdown, is that the Hawks were not able to match the Celtics, they were only able to score 23 points themselves for the period.
This undid all the good work by the Hawks from the first half. While their best defensive wing was on the bench with four fouls, this did not explain why the offense was spluttering. While Trae Young was still on the floor, this did not help the Hawks out of their hole
The Atlanta Hawks might want a point of difference at the center position.
The problem for the Hawks is that they have Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu as their main center rotation. While these two are dynamite on defense, they are not showing the ability to create their own shot on a regular basis.
The Hawks also signed Gorgui Dieng during the offseason in an effort to help their playoff defense against Joel Embiid should they meet the Philadelphia 76ers in the postseason again. However, he is also not very adept at creating his own offense.
That is where Danilo Gallinari is huge for the team. He has the ability to exploit mismatches and to shoot from the mid-range and the perimeter. He also has the ability to get to the line with regularity and when he gets there, he is the best in the NBA at knocking down free throws. However, when John Collins is out, Gallinari is one player who had to step up but he still needs a rest.
This is where it would be a good move to have Enes Freedom come off the bench. The big man is an offensive weapon, being able to create his own shot inside which has the impact of keeping the scoreboard moving. He may not play many games or even many minutes in the game.
What Kanter could do for this team is kick-start its offense during a slump. The Hawks would have to work out some defensive schemes so that his lack of ability on that end does not have an adverse impact on the team. Signing him to an end-of-season contract would be a low-risk move.